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TZHIIE LIFE 

OF 




-IEUT. GEN. U. S. GRANT. 



-» > » • * ' « 



NEW YORK : 

R. DAWLEY, PUBLISHER 
13 & 15 Park Row. 
Cheapest published in The Country 



9 )' 



Dawley's Ten-Fenny Novels-Number 1 

THE TWO RIVALS. 

TROM THE! WRElNCTa. OF EHVEILE} SOUVESTRE. 

The very Dame of French novel may conjure np ideas equally alarming with the 
•f French cookery. Whether we shall be regaled with '' fillet of a fenny-snake," in, 
sUad of fillet of sole ; whether an oyster-fed eat can be ingeniously made to represeni 
rabbit ; or, a poodle nourished on sponge-cake transformed into the similitude ( 
pheasant. Admitting that much French literature is, like sausage-rolls, light ami 
disappointing; granting that Dumas is wild, Paul de Kock licentious, and Sue to. 
often prolific of horrors — it by no means follow that the same soil which sends fort}: 
bristle and brier, may not breed celandine and daisy. 



Dawley's Ten-Penny Novels-Number 2 

DARE-DEVIL DICK. 

This is a most singular story of a young man who was cursed by the power of gold 
having had an immense fortune placed to his credit in a Bank, by a mysterious indi 
vidual unknown to him; after which he became associated with gamblers and bac 
men, by whom he became involved in a duel ; was wounded ; became a wanderer ; was 
impressed into the British Navy, where his areer commences as Dake-Devil Dick, j 
dauntless sailor, and one of the most daring, we might say reckless fighting men in t!it 
British Navy, through whose means the " Santissima," a Spanish corvette was cap 
tured, loaded with an amount of doubloons, mordores, and pieces of Eight that would 
be astonishing even to people of our own day. 



Dawley's Ten-Fenny Novels-Number 3J 

THE FREEBOOTER'S PRIZE. 

The above tale is one of the most truthful und exciting which has ever charact-i 
erized the adventures of any Past Middy of the British navy. The adventurer leaving 
home in comparative poverty ; his enlistment upon a war vessel; his desertion; join- 
ing his foi tune upon the deck of a pirate ; his re-desertion ; his next appearance Upon 
a merchantman ; the merchantman's fight with the pirate ; the Quaker Captain; the 
Captain de juene ; his tremendous fighting ; the chase ; final capture of the pirate, and 
marriage of the hero, concludes one of the most daring tales that has ever been re. 
corded upon paper, and which excites the admiration of all. 



Dawley's Ten-Penny Novels-Number 4d 

SPEAKING RIFLE ; 

THE INDIAN SLAYER. 

The Bcenea of this wild and singular story are laid upon the broad and expand 
ing prairies and forests of the Far West Speaking Rifle, or The Inpian Slateb I 
a wild and singular being — a most unrelenting foe to the Indian Race, thousands ol 
whom he destroyed single-handed while avenging the deaih of his murdered i 
rants. At the sain* time he uwver reeked his vengence upon the women and the ag 



Ask any Newsdealer for a Copy of Dawley's Ten-Penny Novelr 

PRICE, LO CTS., MAILED POSTPAID. — T. R. DAWLEY, Poblisbbr. N'kw ^ 



—. — — — 



THE LIFE 



OF 



GEN'L. U. S. GRANT, 



THE GENERAL IN CHIEF 



OF 



THE UNITED STATES ARMY, 

BY 

J 
F> W. H. STAISTSFIELiD. 

ii 

"Can't is not in the Dictionary." — Grant at School. 



■ &] 

'-*— — C x / 



NEW YORK : 

T. R. JDASWIaETiT, PUBLISHLB t 

Nos. 13 and 15 Park Row. 



Agents wanted all over the Country to sell Dawley's publications. 
-Vert liberal inducements offered. 



Q 



ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, IN THE TEAR 1864, BT 

T. R..DAWLEY, 

IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED 

STATES, FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW TORE. 



2. 



^ ~lHi 



T. R. Dawlet, Steam Book, Job, and Newspaper Printer, Electro- 

typer, Stereotyper, and Publisher.— Nos. 13 and 15 Park Row, 

New York. 



INTRODUCTION 



"War has been characteristic of the whole world in all 
ages, and each contest has produeed its hero and its gen" 
eral. But few great generals have, however, been mani- 
fested by those wars. Ancient times certainly brought 
forth Xerxes, Cyrus, Cassar, and Alexander ; the middle 
ages Richard Cceur deLeou, and Edward the black prince, 
and in modern times Napoleon, Washington and Frederick. 
But although these names are attached to great leaders 
yet history records no instance of either of them manag- 
ing such vast armies, over such an extent of grouud as ha3 
Ulysses S. Grant, the Commanding General of the United 
States Army. This little volume is therefore set apart to 
illustrate the life and services of that General. 

New York, 1864, P. W. H. 



THE LIFE 

OP 

ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 



CHAPTER I. 

GRANT AS A BOY. 



Birth and parentage — His adventures as a schoolboy — How he managed 
a team— His horse trade — " Never say cant" — The defender of Washing- 
ton, Sfc. 

Ulysses Simpson Grant, the commanding general of all 
the armies of the Uuited States, and principal officer dur- 
ing the great battles of the South- West, during 1862 and 
1863, and during the Virginia Campaign of 186i, was 
born at Mount Pleasant, Clermont County, Ohio, on the 
27th day of April, 1822. He is the son of a farmer who 
had settled in the West during that early period, and who 
had struggled along — as all new settlers have to do — to 
keep himself afloat. His mother was formerly Harriet 
Simpson — hence his second name. 

The difficulties of reaching markets to dispose of pro- 
duce made the life of a farmer at that particular time any- 
thing but a money-making one: but still these tillers of 
the soil were enabled to live well even if they had but 
few luxuries. The sons of Western farmers, therefore, 
had to work hard on the farms in the various labors at- 
tendant upon the cutting down of the forest and breaking 
up of the virgin soil ; and in this work the brothers of 
young Grant were consequently engaged. 



18 THE LIFE OP 

The ancestors of U. S. Grant were Scotch and were 
among' the early settlers of America. Two brothers — the 
lather and uncle of the subject of this biography — at first 
settled near each other ; but the uncle removed into 
C inula, while the father remained in the United States. 
A friendly feeling, however, still existed between them al- 
though they differed upon the subject of loyalty to Great 
Britain. This became manifest during after life in the 
training of the children. ' 

An incident is reported of young Grant while yet a 
child. His father held him in his arms at his cottage door 
on the anniversary of Independancc day in 1823. The 
child was just able to talk, and was pleased with the ex- 
citement around. A boy came along with a loaded pistol 
in his hand, and asked the father to let him discharge the 
weapon, to see how the child would stand the report. The 
pistol was duly fired, and instead of alarming the little 
f How, he clapped his hands and appeared to enjoy it. He 
even seemed anxious, by his simple words, that the boy 
should fire again, and lire again he did. A by-stander re- 
marked that the infant would one day become a great sol- 
dier ; and the inadvertent "observation has certainly been 
proved a true prophecy. 

During the fall of 18-23 the father of Ulysses removed 
from Mount Pleasant to Georgetown, the capital of Brown 
County, Ohio. At this time the village was in a crude 
state: but as it was in the midst of a rich farming dis- 
trict it held out many prospects for industrious and 
economical farmers. In tins village young Grant spent] 
his earlier days, and there he obtained the rudiments of 
his education at the village school. 

Young Grant was considered anything but a smart 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 19 

scholar — he was rather inclined to be dull ; but he "was 
never known to give up a task if there appeared the slight- 
est chance of conquering it. On one occasion he is said to 
have been puzzled about tne meaning of the word " can't," 
which one of his fellow scholars had applied to his attempt 
to learn his lesson, 

" You can't do it," said the boy. 

" Can't," said Grant, then about ten years ot age, 
" what do you mean by ' can't ?' " 

" Well," returned the other, " I mean you can't, and 
that is what I mean." 

Grant was puzzled at the definition far more than by 
the first expression, and he made up his mind that he 
would find out something about the word. He searched 
the old dictionary, but the word was not in the volume. 
He went to his teacher and asked him the meaning of it, 
as he " did not find it in the dictionary." 

The the teacher was pleased with the perseverance of 
the otherwise considered dull boy ; and readily explained 
that, as the expression was a corruption of the word 
" cannot," he was not surprised at his not finding it. Be- 
ing a practical man, the teacher saw an opportunity of 
making scholastic capital out of the event, and he at once 
delivered a short lecture to the pupils, ending with the re- 
mark, " if in the course of your future lives, you should be 
engaged in honorable but laborious duties, and your oppo- 
nents should suy ' you can't do this, or you cant do that,' 
let your reply be in the words of your fellow scholar 
Grant, 

' Can't is not to be found in the dictionary.' " 

During the whole of his life up to the time of writing 
this biography, Ulysses S. Grant has demonstrated the 



20 THE LIFE OP 

fact that he has not been able to find the word « can't.'* 
When pursuing any given object however difficult, if any 
one said to him " that can't be done," he would promptly 
reply, " can't is not in the dictionary," and would continue 
his pursuit with an eagerness and pertinacity truly remark- 
able. 

While a boy at school Grant's father sent him, on one 
occasion, to get a log of wood out of the timber-land, and 
gave him charge of a horse and team to bring the log 
home. He expected his son would find men enough on 
the ground to assist him load the cart. On arriving at 
the spot young Grant found the men all gone ; and yet he 
did not like to return to his father without the log. It 
was too heavy for him to lift, and the question how to get 
the log home became a serious one for the boy. By dint 
of great personal effort he raised one end of the log until 
it rested on a stump about the height of the cart. Ue 
then backed the cart until it acted as a kind of fulcrum 
under the log, and thus gradually but surely he worked 
the log into the cart and brought it home. This ingenui- 
ty and perseverance in so young a child, although trifling 
in itself, certainly gave promise of what the man would 
be. 

On another occasion, Grant was sent, when aiout 
twelve years old, to make a horse trade for his father. 
His father told him to get the horse if possible. 

" Offer him," said the old gentleman to his son, " first 
fifty dollars, then fifty-five, and if he will not take that 
you may give him sixty dollars for the horse. But bring 
the beast home." 

Off started young Grant full of business. On arriving 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 21 

at the house of the owner of the horse, he explained his 
errand, when the seller at once naturally asked, 

" What price did your father say you ought to give for 
the horse !"• 

" Father told me," replied the boy, " that I was to 
offer you first fifty, then fifty-five, and finally sixty dollars 
for the horse." 

Of course the horse was " sixty dollars and no less" 

" I supposed so," said young Grant. " But on looking 
at the animal I am convinced it is not worth more than 
fifty dollars, and I am willing to give you that, but no 
more. If you like to let me have the horse, all right ; if 
not, well, I will go without." 

Grant was obstinate and finally succeeded ; riding home 
on his fifty dollar horse. 

The fact of the two brothers differing on the question of 
loyalty to Great Britain has before been alluded to, and 
in their sons this difference was plainly demonstrated. 
The Canadian Grant had a son named John, who was sent 
to the same school with Ulysse3. These cousins would oc- 
casionally get into a discussion on the divine right of 
kings, and the right of revolution. These arguments were 
all carried on in good part, each maintaining his own 
opinion, until one day, the Canadian remarked that he 
considered Washington "nothing more than a rebel." 

" Come, Jack," said Grant « That won't do. You must 
not call Washington ill names. It is true mother tells 
me I must not fight ; nor will I on my own account. 
Abuse me as much as you like, but if you abuse Washing- 
ton, I'll off coat and flog you, if you were ten times my 



22 THE LIFE OP 

cousin. And then mother may thrash me as much as she 

pleases." 

Jack was obstinate in his assertion, and the consequence 
was that Grant gave his cousin a thorough bpating ; al- 
though he did not himself escape without a few marks of 
the contest. When Grant returned home, his mother at 
once discovered what he had been about. 

" So, sir," said she, " in spite of all my warning you have 
been fighting." 

Grant explained to her without addition to or suppres- 
sion of facts, the whole cause of the trouble. The good 
mother, determined to have her precepts practiced, pre- 
pared to administer to her son the chastisement she had 
promised, when the boy's father stepped between them, 
and good-naturedly asked to be heard. 

" I tell thee what it is, wife," said he, " the boy does not 
deserve to be punished. He has only defended— as was 
his duty — the honor of the name of Washington; and 
mark me, the boy that will risk punishment in such a cause, 
will rise to be a great man, and a Christian too. 

The appeal of the father had some weight with the 
mother, and young Ulysses was let olF with only a repri- 
mand. In after years the cousins again met and in review- 
ing their past lives, the Canadian asked Grant if he recol- 
lected the event of the school days, and the thrashiug he 
had administered. 

" Yes," said Grant, " and I will do it again, if you give 
me the same provocation." 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT, 23 

CHAPTER II. 

GRANT AS A CADET. 

How he entered West Point Military Academy — What ha there Learned 
— Hoiu he obtained peace among his Companions — " Company Grant " — His 
Graduation, Sfc. 

When Grant had passed from boyhood into that period 
of life verging toward manhood, lie began to wish for 
something more elevated than the simple life of a farmer. 
He also desired a better education. But how to get it 
was the question. He had turned his sixteenth year and 
yet his prospects were far from being what he desired, and 
he felt dissatisfied. . 

On one occasion he was heard to express a desire to en- 
ter West Point — the Military Academy of the United 
States. Some friends of the aspiring youth, being desirous 
to assist so noble a wish, made known his case to General 
Thomas H. Hamer, who was then a member of Congress 
from Ohio. The general inquired relative to the merits 
of the applicant — his qualifications and wishes. On being 
told that his merits lay in the determination to rise, and 
his wishes to succeed, the old general said they were qual- 
ifications enough for him, and he should have the cadetship 
if it could be got. The general succeeded irwobtaining the 
appointment, and young Grant entered the Military acad- 
emy during the year 1839. Colonel Delafield, now Gen- 
eral and Engineer-in-chief of the United States armies, 
.was then Superintendent of the Military Academy. 

The young cadet did not display any very great amount 
of the dashing brilliancy which at that time was charac- 
teristic of the West Point cadets. Certain outside polish 



24 THE LIFE OP 

would carry a student to the head of his class and keep 
him there until he graduated ; but after he entered the 
army he would be found far inferior to those who had 
graduated lower. This has been most remarkably demon- 
strated during the war of the rebellion ; some who have 
graduated lower than others at "West Point, having risen 
far above their classmates when in the army. 

Cadet Grant went in for solid learning. He never at- 
tempted to " cram" himself, merely to pass an examina 
tion; but what he did learn was retained with the perti- 
nacity of his race. He never forgot what he was thor- 
oughly made acquainted with ; and never allowed the 
word " can't" to stop him if he determined to master any- 
thing. 

Grant, having submitted to a thorough medical examin- 
ation as to his fitness to become a soldier, and been 
approved, was placed in the fourth class of the academy. 
Here he had to perform the duties similar to those of a 
private in the army, to learn the manual of arms, and all 
the tactics of an infantry soldier. As the cadets live in 
tents during the summer, tho duties were laborious. His 
mind was not neglected, for lie had to study French and 
English grammer, geography — especially of the United 
States, composition, declamation, rhetoric, mathematics, 
etc. These studies lasted until the summer of 1840. 

It was during this interval that Grant first acquired his 
notoritey at West point and gained for himself the soubri- 
quet of " Company Grant." As a new comer in the In- 
stitution he naturally became the sport of the old hands — * 
his seniors. Several practical jokes were played upon him, 
and some of a very serious character. He endured them 
for some time, with but an occasional murmur ; until at last 



ULYSSES SIMrSON GRANT. 25 

he was determined to put a stop to them at once and {for 
ever. The occasion taken advantage of by Grant wa g 
when the cadets were out on a parade. It appears the 
officer in charge — a fellow cadet, but ranking as captain — 
played a ridiculous practical joke on young Grant; one 
that he was determined to resent. Stepping out of the 
jranks, Grant said : — 

" Now, captain, will you drop your rank for a few min- 
utes, and stand up fair and square 1 If so, we will see who 
is the Lest man." 

Of course, the captain, for the honor of his courage, had 
to accept the challenge ; and off went jackets, and soon the 
cadets were engaged. In a short time Grant was victo- 
rious — the captain being soundly flogged. 

Turning to the next officer in charge, Grant said : — 

" It is your turn now, lieutenant, to revenge the captain 
if you can." 

A few minutes decided the contest, and the second officer 
was placed hors du combat. Grant turning to his com- 
panions in the line inquired eagerly : — 

"Who is next? I want peace ; 1 am willing to fight 
for it ; all the company, if necessary one by one. I have 
no ill-will against any one ; but I must and will have peace 
in the future." 

A shout soon gave evidence of the appreciation with 
which his gallant conduct was viewed. He had demon- 
strated that he possessed the pluck to resist aggression, and 
his companions needed nothing more to prevent them from 
playing any further tricks upon him. They eagerly came 
forward and offered their hands in token of amity. 

" You'll do" said the captain, although smarting under 
his defeat. 



2G TIIE LIFE OP 

" All right, Grant'' said his companions " We will not 
bother you any more. You are a plucky fellow and will 
make your way." 

And amid such remarks Grant retook his place in the 
line. He made no boast of his success, but was not again 
troubled with practical jokes ; and his companions, in 
honor of the event, dubbed him with the title of " Company 
Grant." 

During the summer of 1840 Grant passed his examina- 
tion, and entered the third class. It must be understood 
that, although a large number of cadets enter the fourth 
class, a far less number rise to the higher ones — many 
leaving the institution, as unqualified, after passing their 
first examination. 

While Grant was a member of the third class he was 
selected as one of the corporals of the batallion. He 
also entered upon the duties of a cavalrv private, which 
is considered a degree higher than infantry. For sixteen 
weeks he studied horsemanship, the rest of the time being 
employed in the study of mathematics, French, drawl- 
ing, &c, and with his infantry duties. In horsemanship 
he progressed rapidly, and he is now reputed as fine a 
rider as any in the service. In his other studies he also 
progressed — slowly, it is true, but none the less surely — 
and at the examination of the summer of 1841, he passed 
readily into the second class. 

The studies of the second class were far more arduous 
and laborious than any he had yet undertaken. During 
the full of 1841, the winter of 1841-2, and the sjiring 
1842, he was engaged in the mastery of chemistry, Raw- 
ing, natural and experimental philosophy, and other 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 27 

sciences, as well as in the practice of horsemanship ; and 
in the summer months of both 18-11 and 1842, he per- 
fected his drill in infantry tactics, and began the study of 
artillery manoeuvres in the field. 

While in the second class, young Grant was selected 
to act as sergeant of cadets. This gave him some know- 
ledge of the metho i of keeping company rolls, orders, 
and other papers belonging to the command ; and enabled 
him to acquire a system of order which has since been so 
valuable to him. At the end of the term he was compli- 
mented, and passed his examination with credit, 

During July 1842, Cadet Grant entered the first class 
at West Point, to study those lessons, which are sometimes 
the most difficult — the proper way to command. After he 
had been in the class for a short time he was selected as 
one of the commissioned officers of the batallion. He 
is reputed never to have abused the power entrusted to 
him ; and yet to command the respect and obedience of 
all under him. 

The studies attached to the first class are scientific as 
well as practical. During the colder months of the year, 
which extends from July 1st to June 30th, he studied 
civil and military engineering ; and in the spring of 1843 
took practical lessons in the field. Nor were these all 
his studies — ethics ; constitutional, international and mil- 
itary laws; mineralogy ; geology ; and the Spanish lan- 
guage had all to be mastered, to enable him to graduate 
with honor. He had also to acquire the practical know- 
ledge of the art of gunnery, cavalry tactics and ordnanc, 
and other branches of field service ; and to take his final 
lessons in horsemanship. In some of these studies Grant 



28 THE LIFE OP 

became an adept ; but in others he did not succeed as well. 
He, however, passed his examination with credit if not 
with the first honors; and on the 30th of June, 1863. 
graduated about the middle of his class, on the same day 
with Generals Franklin, Raynolds, Quinby, Peck, J. J. 
Reynolds, Hardie, Augur, C. S. Hamilton, Steele, Ingalls, 
Judah, and other officers of lesser degree in the Union 
Service ; and Generals French and Gardner of the Rebel 
arm} r . 

When a West Point cadet graduates, it is considered he 
is fitted to superintend, or take his part in any and all the 
branches of the military service. He is supposed to be 
•well instructed in the use of the rifled musket ; the field 
piece — light and heavy ; mortar, seige and seacoast guns ; 
small sword, sabre and bayonet ; in the construction of 
field works, and in the formation of all the material and 
munitions used in war. He is also expected to be well 
versed in the sciences and to be thoroughly proficient in 
all ordinary education of civillife. He is further taught to 
be gentlemanly and a man of honor — hence the phrase, 
which is always accepted, " on the honor of a gentle- 
man and a soldier." 

Having graduated, it is the duty of a cadet to serve a 
a certain time — about four years — in the United States 
Army ; the country requiring that service as a recompense 
for the instruction given him at West Point. During 
peace, however, this has not been exacted of all the cadets ; 
many of them having entered upon civil pursuits almost 
as soon as they had left the Academy. Yet they can 
hardly be said to have been of no service to the country ; 
for it was under the direction, care and superintend- 
ence of some of our West Point cadets that the mighty line8 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 29 

of railroad that cross and recross this continent have been 
constructed ; while others have had charge of educational 
institutions and have even taken high positions in the 
church. 



CHAPTER III. 

GRANT AS A SOLDIER. 

Enters the Army — Services in Missouri, and Texas — the Mexican War, 
Brevets — Oregon — Promotions — Resignation, Sfc. 

Grant when he graduated was appointed to the infantry 
service of the United States Army, with the bevet rank 
of Second Lieutenant. On the 1st of July 1843, he en- 
tered upon his new duties and became attached to the 
Fourth Regiment of Regulars ; and was ordered to the 
West to keep down the Indians on the Missouri Frontier. 
He was also engaged in superintending the opening up of 
that country, then almost a wilderness. 

The region of territory north of Mexico, and adjoining 
the State of Leuisiana, having declared its indopendance 
of that country, the United States authorities determined 
to assist the revolutionists by sending an army to the fron~ 
tier. This naturally led to an advance, and on the 1st of 
March, 1835, the "Lone Republic of Texas" was an- 
nexed to the United States. It may naturally be supposed 
that this annexation would be resisted by Mexico; and 
threats were uttered that Texas should be again attached 
to that country by force of arms. To resist such a move- 
ment was the object of the United States Government, 
at the time when it sent an army into Texas under Gen- 
eral Taylor. 



30 THE LIFE OP 

For some time an imaginary line had divided the Amer- 
ican from the Mexican part of Texas ; but after a short 
interval this bacame useles — first one side and then the 
other overstepping their boundary. This naturally led to 
disputes, quarrels, individual strife, and bloodshed. Thus 
began the war with Mexico. 

The U. S. forces having taken possesson of Corpus 
Christi, a port of Texas, the place was at once garrisoned ; 
and Grant was stationed there, with a portion of the rigi- 
ment to which he was attached. While iit this post he re- 
ceived his commission as full Second Lieutenant of In- 
fantry, under date of September 30th, 1845, and he was 
transferred and attached to the Seventh Regulars. This 
transfer to another regiment did not, apparently, please 
Grant, as the official records state that during the following 
November he was re-transferred to the Fourth Regiment 
of Regular Infantry, with the rank of Second Lieutenant. 

The disputes before spoken of, gradually ripened into a~ 
eevere struggle, without bringing on actual war, until 
General Taylor discovered, during the spring of 184G, 
that a large force of Mexicans was about to cross the Rio 
Grande, for the purpose of wresting Texas from the grasp 
of the United States. This decided General Taylor as to 
his movements ; and promptly he prepared to resist the ad- 
vance of the enemy. In the meantime Fort Brown, a 
work constructed by the U. S. troops on the American side 
of the RioGrande, was invested by the Mexicans ; and, al- 
though gallantly defended, must have fallen, had not Gen- 
eral Taylor come to the assistance of the garrison. This 
movement of the United States forces brought Grant upon 
his first battle-field. 

The battle of Palo Alto took place on May 8th, 1856, 



ULYSSES SIMFSON GRANT. 31 

and was the preliminary action -which led the repulse of 
the Mexicans from Texas. The following day witnessed 
the battle of Resaca de la Palma, and in both of these ac- 
tions Lieutenant Grant distinguished himself for his bra- 
very. It is true, he gained no brevets, as he was merely 
a subaltern, and naturally the commander of his company 
received the honors. He was, however, very well spoken 
of in the company reports. 

The Mexicans were driven across the Rio Grande, Fort 
Brown was relieved and the guns of that work added to 
the disorder of the enemy's ranks, as they fled from before 
the victorious forces of General Taylor. The Americans 
then advanced up the Rio Grande, and Lieutenant Grant 
participated in the military operations, assisting in the 
advance into the Territory of New Leon, Mexico. 

Steadily the Americans advanced until they came be- 
fore Monterey, and the Mexicaus made a decisive stand 
behind strong works. General Taylor was not a man to 
be held back by armed walls ; and in this he has been 
nobly imitated by the present commanding general of the 
United States Army. Taylor resolved to drive the enemy 
from their fortifications, and he made a determined assault 
upon the place. The city was to be carried by storm, and 
many a gallant officer bit the dust. Lieutenant Grant 
nobly did his duty during the assult, leading his section 
with a gallantry and fearlessness of death that has charac- 
terized all his subsequent career. Monterey was finally 
taken ; and the victory ended the campaign in the northern 
part of Mexico. 

A very interesting incident is told of the young lieuten- 
ant's conduct during this campaign. A party of Americans 
had been hemmed in by a much superior force of Mexicans, 



32 THE LIFE OP 

in the city of Monterey, and there was every danger, not 
only of their capture, but of their annihilation. A volun- 
teer was called for to run the gauntlet of the enemy and 
clear the town, in order to bring succor to the party. 
Lieutenant Grant offered his services ; and as he was re- 
puted to be the best rider in the command his offer was ac- 
cepted. A fleet horse was procured ; and, unhurt, he cut 
his way through the Mexicans, and reached the ranks of his 
friends outside the city. In a short time he returned with 
the desired reinforcements, and the hemmed-in garrison 
was speedily rescued from their dangerous as well as un- 
comfortable position. 

The declaration of war by the United States Congress, 
inaugurated a more decisive system of warfare in Mexico, 
and General Scott was placed in chief command of the 
army. The base of operations was changed from Texas 
and the Rio Grande to the Gulf of Mexico, and the more 
northern movement was to some extent abandoned. Gen- 
eral Scott effected a. landing in Mexico above Vera Cruz, 
and the majority of the Rio Grande forces were transfered 
to the command of that officer. The regiment in which 
Lieutenant Grant served formed part of the forces thus 
removed, and he participated in the siege operations under 
which Vera Cruz was finally surrendered on March 29th, 
1849. 

Lieutenant Grant, heretofore kept in the background by 
his position, began now to enter upon a new career. It 
was discovered that he possessed talents of more than the 
ordinary kind, and. he was, during April, 1847, selected 
to act as quartermaster of his regiment. To supply a regi- 
ment in a strange country, with the enemy on every side, 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 33 

was a duty of no mean importance ; and in choosing Grant 
for that office, showed an appreciation, by his seniors, of 
his power to perform the duties belonging thereto. With 
this positioa he served through the remainder of the war, 
although he did not confine himself entirely to the routine 
of that part of the service — his brave disposition requiring 
him, at times, to take part in the more serious operations 
of the campaign. The duties of the quartermaster's de 
partment did not call upon him to enter into the actual 
strife ; but when Grant found his services could be made 
valuable in the field, he never hesitated to give them to 
the country even at the risk of his life. 

The next battle in which Grant took a prominent part 
was at El Molino del Rey, on the 8th of September 1847. 
Here he fought with a marked gallantry, and was promoted 
on the field to the rank of first lieutenant of infantry, to 
date from the day of that battle. Congress wished mere- 
ly to confer a brevet upon him for that battle ; but he de- 
clined it on special grounds. 

At the battle of Chapultepec on September 13, 1847, 
Grant again distinguished himself by his gallantly 
"With a few men of the Fourth United States Infantry he 
succeeded, after a strong resistance, in carrying a strong 
field work of the enemy, and also in turning their right 
wing. The conflict was short but sharp. The men suc- 
ceeded in mounting a howitzer on the top the convent, 
and under the direction of Lieutenant Grant the enemy 
was considerably annoyed during the conflict. The bril- 
liant conduct of Grant called forth high eulogisms from 
all his senior officers in their official reports. 

During the subsequent contests, which finally resulted in 



34 THE LIFE OF 

•the capture of the city of Mexico, Lieutenant Grant contin- 
ued to manifest that high order of gallantry which had 
characterized all his operations from the commencement of 
the campaign. 

When the congress of the United States met in session 
in the winter of 1849-50, the President sent in the name 
of Ulyses S, Grant for promotion to the rank of First 
Lieutenant of infantry to date from September 16th, 1847, 
with brevets of First Lieutenant and Captain to date 
from September 8th and 13th, respectively, for gallant 
and meritorious conduct at ElMolino delRey and Chapul- 
tepec. During the executive session of!850 these appoint- 
ments were all duly confirmed. 

After the war in Mexico had been concluded and the 
troops withdrawn, Lieutenant Grant returned to New 
York wilh the remnant of the gallant regiment to which 
he belonged. For a time it remained as a garrison for the 
Northern defences, with the object of recruiting its strength 
and numbers, as well as resting from the fatigues of an ar- 
duous campaign in a sickly country. 

The regiment having again become somewhat increased 
in strength and vigor, and the gold fever having made it 
necessary that troops should be dispatched to the auriferous 
regions to preserve order, keep down the Indians, and pre- 
vent bloodshed among the lawless settlers, the Fourth 
Regimcni of United States Infantry was ordered to the 
Pacific coast for the purpose. A portion of the Regiment 
was stationed in California, and the remainder in Oregon. 
In this latter battallion, Brevet Captain Grant continued 
his service, and for a time the headquarters of the com- 
mand dwere located at Fort Dallas, one of the important 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 35 

posts in that territory. From this and the many other 
military posts, the troops would occasionally sally forth 
on excursions against the Indians, and in more than one 
encounter Grant displayed a brilliancy which has since 
been developed in a form far more valuable to the country. 

While serving in Oregon a vacancy existed in the com- 
mand of one of the companies of his regiment, and Grant 
was selected to fill it with the rank of Captain of Infantry 
to date from August 1st, 1853. This promotion was con- 
firmed during the session of Congress of 1853-4. 

A change in the military departments of the United 
States caused Captain Grant and his command to be at- 
tached to the Department of the West, which at that time 
embraced all the country from the Missouri River to the 
Pacific. Captain Grant, who had been for some time a 
married man,* having become of the opinion that he had 
rendered sufficient service to the United States to repay 
them for the education he had obtained from them, and 
the country being at that time in perfect peace with all 
the world, determined to resign the service and devote 
himself to a more settled life. He therefore tendered his 
resignation to the War Department, and on July 31st, 
1854, it was accepted, and Captain Grant left his military 
station and commenced the life of a farmer. 
- » 

• Grant married the daughter of Mr. F. Dent, a resident of Missouri, 
and a man highly esteemed in his immediate neighborhood. 



36 THE LIFE OP 

CHAPTER IV. 

GRANT AS A FABMER AND TANNER. 

Grant on his farm. — The cord-wood dealer. — Collector of debts. — En- 
gaged in the leather trade, fyc. 

The retired captain now commenced a new and far dif- 
ferent career, and settled upon a farm in the vicinity of 
St. Louis, Mo- He having had some experience, during 
his youth, in the management of a farm, he succeeded 
pretty fairly with his crops ; but did not make a fortune 
or even save money. 

As the winter months of that part of the country are 
generally very severe, and the ground covered with snow 
for several weeks, Grant employed himself in felling the 
timber and cutting it into cord-wood. When sleighing 
was good he would load his sleigh —rough and rudely 
made — and drive his team with the load of cord-wood to 
the markets at Carondelet, where he would himself sell the 
wood to the purchaser. Many a load of wood has been 
purchased at Carondelet by persons who still remember 
Grant as a man attired in an old felt hat, a rough bio us e 
coat, and his pants carelessly tucked into his boots. His 
appearance was then far less that of a soldier than of a 
sturdy, honest woodman — one who gained his living 
more by the sweat of his brow than the exercise of his 
brain. 

Grant's mode of living while on his farm was frugal, and 
hardy. He never indulged in expensive habits or plea- 
sures ; his wants, apparently being of the most simple 
character. And yet in spite of his frugality he did not 
succeed at farming— at least, he " made no money." He 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 37 

was noted for his honorable character — if lie borrowed any- 
thing, he was sure to repay it even to the smallest frac- 
tion. In this retired manner the now hero of his country 
passed part of his life, quiet and almost unnoticed, until 
the year 1858. 

About this time Grant was employed by some of the 
mercantile houses in St. Louis to - collect the debts then 
owing to 'those firms. In this he was not more successful 
than at farming— perhaps not so much. His great fault 
lay in believing all that was told him by the debtors. If 
the individual complained of distress, and an inability to 
pay, Grant at once, and without question, believed him. 
It was more than probable that he would not trouble the 
delinquent again, and thus he was many times imposed 
upon. 

Finding after at time that he was not fitted for a " dun'» 
Grant gave up that employment and began others. He was 
always engaged at something, and was never known to be 
idle, yet, strange to say, he did not seem to prosper. But 
in all his transactions he was noted for his candor and 
truthfulness, as well as his honesty. 

About the year 1859, Grant embarked in a new busi- 
ness, in the city of Galena, Joe Davies County, Illinois. 
This city had been the seat of trade for the extreme West . 
the traders generally travelling by the Mississippi River to 
the market. In Galena, therefore, Grant established him- 
self as a leather merchant, and entered in partnership with 
his father. The firm succeeded ; at least it was doing a 
moderately fair business ; and the house became somewhat 
well-known to the frequenters of the city of Galena. 

It is in consequence of his connection with the leather 



38 THE LIFE OP 

trade that it is reported of him that " he knew more about 
tanning leather than of politics" and perhaps there is 
some ground for this statement, as it is not known that 
he ever took part, while at Galena, in any political 
meeting either local or national. 

There is an anecdote told of Grant that when he was 
in Galena, some local politician came to him for his vote. 
Grant replied that he never troubled himrelf with elec- 
tions b?fore the time came and then he voted for the 
one he thought best fitting for the position, no matter to 
what party he might belong. 

While in Galena, Grant made the acquaintance of a 
young and enterprising lawyer, named Rawlins, with whom 
he formed a friendship which has since been more closely 
maintained. On many occasions have these two now noted 
characters spent their evenings together in friendly and 
social intercourse — the lawyer admiring the plain soldier, 
now transformed into a merchant, and Grant becoming in- 
terested in one who had it written, as it were, upon his 
open face, the character of an honest lawyer and a rising 
man. Thus the two friends became acquainted, and as com- 
mander and principal staff-officer have they since passed 
through the whole war together. 

An anecdote is told of Grant that is somewhat connected 
with his leather business, that is good enough to be true — 
even if it should not be so :- - 

One day while engaged in certain duties at Springfield 
Illinois, connected with the mustering of troops, a would- 
be contractor made a proposition to Grant — finding he had 
some influence with the State Governor — to obtain for him 
a contract for the supply of the troops with clothing. The 
offer was one that, apparently, would ba profitable to Grant 



ULYSSES SIMrSON GRANT. 39 

if he took sides with the contractor ; but on the former in- 
quiring how the latter could undertake such a contract 
with what appeared to Grant to be an actual loss, the con- 
tractor began to explain that it would not be necessary that 
Grant should examine the quality of the clothing sent in, 
or if he noticed any defects, that he should say anything 
about it to the governor. Grant detected the attempt to 
bribe him into a betrayal of his trust, and shortly after, 
the contractor moved quickly out of the office, his locomo- 
tion being somewhat hurried, owing to the proximity of a 
square-toed cavalry boot on the foot of the indignant mus- 
tering officer. 

" There," said Grant, " I wonder whether that fellow 
will appreciate the leather from the Galena store. I never 
knew it fail under such circumstances.'' 

It is said the contractor has since tried to injure the 
reputation of General Grant and to circulate reports of 
his habits of intoxication ; " for none but an idiot or an in- 
ebriate would have refused so favorable an opportunity of 
making a few thousands," would be his argument. 



CHAPTER V. 

GRANT AS A VOLUNTEER. 

Grant Voluntceas — His services Refused— Mustering Officer — How he be- 
came Colonel — Transportation of Troops after Grant's Plan — How to Re- 
duce a Mutinous Regiment to Order — Services in Missouri, Sfc. 

The news of the uprising of the South spread over the 
whole land, with an electric effect. The North became a 
unit in the support of the legitimate Government ; but no 
effort was made to ceorce the Southerners, until aftor 



40 THE LIFE OP 

tliey had caused the reduction of Fort Sumter, and the 
lowering of the United States flag from over one of the na- 
tional defences. President Lincoln, finding that menaces 
had been made, relative to the seizure of the National 
Capital, and that Maryland and Virginia had threatened 
to secede, thereby placing Washington in the midst of an 
enemy's country— issued a proclamation calling for seven- 
ty-five thousand volunteers for three months, and three 
hundred thousand volunteers for three years' service, to 
defend the same. The call was promptly met. Under this 
call Grant presented himself to Governor Yates, of Illinois, 
and offered his services. He was introduced and accom- 
panied by a friend of the Governor's and the following 
dialogue ensued : 

" Governor," said the friend, " allow me to introduce 
to you Mr. Grant, of Galena, formerly a captain in the 
regular army, and who is now ready to offer his services 
to you." 

"I have already had a number of applications," said the 
governor "for commissions in the army, from men whom 
I must oblige, and at present I have no vacancies for officers. 
Besides I do not know Mr. Grant, nor to my knowledge 
ever heard of him. 

" That is true," returned the friend, " he has never 
made himself prominent in a political way, but as he has 
been a soldier, and desires to volunteer his services, I 
thought I would give him an introduction." 

" That is right," was the governor's reply. Then turn- 
ing to Grant in a careless way, he inquired what position 
he desired in the -service — not that he expected to find a 
vacancy for him. 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 4] 

" Any position will suit me, so that I can serve ray- 
country," was Grant's reply. 

" How came you to leave the service ?" was the gover- 
nor's inquiry. 

"Well," returned Grant, "I wbs educated at West 
Point, and graduated— entering the army as brevet second 
lieutenant. I served in Mexico and gained promotion and 
two brevets. I then returned to the United States and 
served in Oregon, when I was again promoted. I had 
altogether remained in the army eleven years, besides the 
time I was at the Military Academy, and considering that 
I had given to the country a fair return for the education 
I had received, I resigned the service and entered upon 
civil life. But the country is now in danger, and I am 
again ready to give my services, and my life, if necessary, 
in defence of its honor and flag." 

The governor replied that he " had no vacancy at pres- 
ent, but would take down his name, so that he might have 
it if needed." With this poor encouragement Grant left 

the office of Governor Yates. 

A few days after the above conversation had taken 
place the friend called upon Governor Yates, in his office, 
and found him perplexed amid a multitude of documents, 
applications, muster rolls, &c ; — in fact his papers present- 
ed a perfect chaos. The friend inquired how the Gov- 
ernor succeeded as " Commander-in-chief of the Illinois 
forces," and whether he was sending many troops to Wash- 
ington. The Governor replied he. was doing his best; but 
he understood little about the matter and was greatly per- 
plexed. Suddenly he turned to his friend, and said : 

"By-the-bye, what has become of that queer looking man 



42 THE LIFE OP 

you introduced to me the other day ; the army officer I 
mean ?" 

« What, Grant?" 

" Yes. Do you think he would undertake this duty of 
mustering in troops ? Could he do it ?" 

" I have no doubt he could do it, and I am sure he is 
willing to do that or anything else to serve his country, no 
matter in what capacity." 

" Well, send him along here. Perhaps I may be able to 
find a desk in my office for him." 

Grant promptly obeyed the summons ; and accepted the 
position of aide on the Governor's staff, and mustering offi- 
cer of Illinois forces. In a short time, order was restored, 
from the chaotic mass of papers ; and under Grant's 
superintendence the quota of Illinois volunteers, in ac- 
cordance with the three months' call, was speedily filled. 
In fact, volunteers offered so readily, that the Government 
had to refuse the services of any more for a less term than 
two years. 

About this time the three years' volunteers were enlisting 
and were officered by the political friends of the State Gov- 
ernors, without regard to their military qualifications. The 
consequence was, that after a few weeks of camp life, the 
officers would tire of their duties ; and the men, never 
having been influenced by rigid discipline, would rebel 
against the authority of those, who in civil life were often 
far below theui in position and social distinction. 

Such a case as. this occurred about June, 18G1. The 
Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Volunteers had been en-v 
listed but not organized. It was composed of a body of 
hue, noble fellows, who were in camp, truly ; but the con- 
dition and morale of the regiment, as such, was anything 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 43 

but promising. In fact it was in a state of mutiny ; and 
its chief commander — a politician — had no control at all 
over it. Governor Yates asked Grant what was best to 
do with it — retain or disband it. Grant did not approve 
of the plan of dismissing a thousand men in consequence 
of the inefficiency of their officers. lie recommended that 
a good commander should be placed over the men, and he 
would be answerable for the result. The Governor asked 
him if he would accept the command, and restore order. 
As Grant had placed the mustering office in good working 
condition and could be spared from its actual superintend- 
ence he willingly accepted the offer. He was, therefore, 
commissioned by Governor Yates as Colonel of the 21st 
Illinois Volunteer Regiment, with rank dating from June 
15th, 1864 ; and he promptly entered upon the duties of 
that position. 

A. change was observed in the regiment within forty 
hours from the time Colonel Grant assumed the command. 
Discipline was demanded and enforced ; and when the 
men found they had a soldier, and not a politician, to deal 
with, they rendered a cheerful obedience to his wishes and 
commands. 

About two days after Grant had taken charge of the 
regiment, a request was sent to Governor Yates to send a 
regiment to the Mississippi river, to defend the border of 
the State from any incursion from the Missouri Rebels. 
At this time all the means of travel had been taken pos- 
session of to transport troops to Washington ; and Gov- 
ernor Yates was perplexed how to obey the request. 
While Grant was in his office, the Governor had been in 
the habit of referring such matters to him ; but he was 
now absent in camp with his command. At last the Gov- 



44 1HE LIFE OP 

ernor resolved to visit Grant in camp, and confer with him 
on the the troublesome question. 

" Governor," said Grant, " why not send my regiment. 
It is ready for service." 

" So soon ?'' inquired the Governor. " I am glad of 
that ; for I always thought the men were sound. But," 
continued he, " that will not relieve me of my dilemma. I 
have not the means of transportation, and the distance is 
over a hundred miles." 

" Leave that to me," rdplied Grant. " Shall this regi- 
ment go ? If so, I will provide my own transportation." 

" How will you manage that ?" inquired the Governor. 

" March the men the whole distance." 

« But can they do it ?'' 

" Certainly. I shall march at their head ; and where I 
can go they can certainly follow." At least, give me the 
command to move, and in one hour they shall be on the 
way." 

The order was given and in less than an hour, the regi- 
ment was marching out of camp near Springfield, en route 
for the Mississippi River. 

In a few days the regiment was in a new camp at Casey- 
ville, a few miles from the Mississippi River, and nearly 
opposite St. Louis. The long march had tamed down the 
turbulent spirits, and made the men, what Grant had 
prophesied they would be, " good soldiers." A short time 
longer in camp, and they were deemed fit for actual ser- 
vice in the field. They were therefore sent across the 
river to protect the railroad running from Hannibal on the 
Mississippi River to St. Joseph on the Missouri River 
near the Kansas border. This line was important for the 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 45 

transportation of emigrants ami troops,- it being a branch 
of the main through line to the far West. 

To enable the troops to become inured to the fatigues of a 
soldier's life, they were continually marched from one camp 
to another, until on July 31st, 18G1, Colonel Grant was 
placed in command of the forces at Mexieo, a station of the 
North Missouri Railroad, a line connecting St. Louis with 
the railroad heretofore guarded by his forces.- Shortly 
after, the command was marched still further south and 
was stationed at Pilot Knob, Madison County, Missouri, 
Thence the men marched to Ironton, and Marble Creek, 
en route to the extreme south-eastern part of Missouri, in 
which the roving bands of rebels had taken refuge after 
having been driven from the Northern and Eastern coun- 
ties. 

These movements of troops and small skirmishes occu- 
pied Grant until August 23d, 1801. Up to this time there 
had been no hard fighting in those districts of country 
occupied by Grant and his regiment, although several se- 
vere battles had taken place in different other parts of 
the State of Missouri. 

As it was clearly demonstrated, by the contests that had 
already taken place, that the rebels did not intend to give 
up the pretended cause without a struggle, and a severe 
one, the Government decided to appoint a number of prom- 
inent officers to the rank of generals, and to divide the 
country into military departments add distircts. Among 
the officers chosen to fill the position of Brigadier-General 
was Colonel Ulysses S. Grant, and his appointment was 
confirmed at the extra session of Congress of 1861, with a 
commission dating from May 17, 1861. There were thirty- 



46 THE LIFE OP 

four Brigadier-Generals commissioned on the same day ; 
and in the official army list it is stated that Grant occu- 
pied the seventeenth on the lineal roll, sixteen outranking 
him by priority of confirmation. Such was the position of 
affairs on August 23d, 1861. 

CHAPTER VI. 



GRANT AS BRIGADIER-GENERAL. 

Commander of forces at Cairo — Occupies the Kentucky shore — Grant's 
unpretending manners — Frederichtown — Belmont — Extension of command 
- -Iieconnoissance in force — Movement upon Fort Henry — Fort Donelson—- 
Granfs immortal words — How Grant became an abstainer, Sfc. 

General Grant was now in a position to take a large com- 
mand, and consequently was appointed to one suitable to 
his rank. A post had been, at the earliest stages of the 
contest, established at Cairo, a prominent point at the 
junction of the Ohio and Upper Mississippi rivers and 
commanding both streams. The position, in a military 
point of view, was of great importance, and to prevent 
the rebels taking posession of it, the United States Gov- 
ernment had ordered its occupation and fortification by 
the militia. General Grant was now appointed to take 
command of the post— the militia having been relieved by 
the three years volunteers — and his jurisdiction extended 
across the Mississippi and embraced all the shore lines 
from Cape Giradeau to New Madrid, Mo., and from the 
northern border of Alexander County, to Cairo, 111. 

Up to this stage of proceedings Kentucky had been held 
sacred, at least so far as being occupied by the armed forces 



ULYSSES STMPSON GRANT, 47 

of either side. It was considered " neutral ground," and 
was so declared: The adjoining state, Tennessee, how- 
ever, seceded, and the rebels had built upon the extreme 
northern border defensive works to repel the advance of the 
United States troops. Occasionally the rebels would make 
movements beyond the dividing line ; but upon receiving 
a protest from the state authorities of Kentucky would fall 
back. At last they took possession of Hickman and Col- 
umbus, on the Mississippi shore of Kentucky, and fortified 
them ; which fact was no sooner discovered by General 
Grant than he immediately crossed his forces to Paducah, 
and afterwards to Smithland, occupying the former on 
September 6th, and the latter on September 25th, 1861. 
Having thus planted himself on the soil of Kentucky, he 
made proper provision against being forcibly removed 
therefrom, by establishing garrisons at each of the fore- 
named places. 

When Grant occupied Paducah he issued a proclamation 
to the inhabitants, informing them that he did not intend 
to infringe on their legal rights ; but he was determined 
to hold the place against the enemies of the Government. 
He took possession of the telegraph o.lice, hospitals, rail- 
road depots, &c, and placed a garrison over the town. 
Paducah being situated at the mouth of the Tennessee 
River, and Smithland at the mouth of the Cumberland 
River, gave the force occupying those places the command 
of the entrance of these streams. By this means much of 
the contraband trade previously carried on with the rebel- 
lious states through Kentucky was prevented, and a quan- 
tity of arms en to route the enemies of the United States 
fell into the possession of the Union troops. 



48 THE LIFE OP 

General Grant made several reconnoisances down the 
Mississippi River on steamers, and others into the interior 
of Kentucky by land ; and during each of these move- 
ments skirmishes would take place. His command was 
now extended to embrace the whole of South-Eastern 
Missouri, in order that he might have power to provide 
means for preventing raiding parties, in his rear, when he 
found himself ready to make an advance. On the 16th of 
October, 1861, he ordered Colonels Plummer and Carlin 
with their forces to advance by different routes upon 
Fredericktown, one of the county seats of South-Eastern 
Missouri, and on the 21st the rebels were defeated and 
driven from the place. He also ascertained the position 
of Jeff Thompson's forces and the rebel camp at Belmont ; 
and on November 6th, at the head of two brigades, moved 
from Cairo for that point. He landed near Belmont early 
on the morning of November 7th, and moved to the at- 
tack. General Cheatham was in command of the rebel 
camp, and although the enemy made a determined resist- 
ance, Grant drove them to and through their camp, and 
their battery of twelve guns was captured. The camp was 
then burned, and the baggage, camp equipage, horses and 
several prisoners taken. The movement was a success, 
and but for the arrival of fresh rebel troops from Hickman, 
Columbus, and other points, would have been completely 
disastrous to the enemy in that part of the country. This 
reinforcement, however, caused the rebels to greatly out- 
number the Union troops, who at the beginning were only 
3,000 strong, and Grant had to retire, fighting as he went, 
to the transports in the river where the embarkation was 
effected under the guns of the armed vessels. 

During the contest, Grant had his horse killed under 



ULYSSES SIMrSON GRANT. 49 

him, as did also several of his officers, So hot was the con- 
flict. Taking all the objects of the movement into consid- 
eration, Belmont must certainly be recorded as one of the 
successes of the war. 

Shortly after this General Ilalleck assumed the com- 
mand of the Department of Missouri, and began a complete 
(reorganization of its districts. He placed General Grant 
hi command of the District of Cairo on December 20th, 
1861, and defined its limits as follows: — "To include all 
the Southern part of Illinois, that part of Kentucky 
west of the Cumberland River, and the counties of Mis- 
souri south of Cape Girardeau." Of this ne.v district 
General Grant assumed command on December 21st. Ug 
then located his various posts, appointed his staff officers, 
and made provision for his future advance. He also or- 
ganized his new forces and located them at different posts, 
in view of proper co-operation when needed. 

• On the 10th of January, 18G2, apart of General Grant's 
forces, under the immediate command of General McCler- 
nand, landed at Fort Jefferson on the upper Kentucky 
shore of the Mississippi River ; and the commanding Gene- 
ral having organized his remaining forces, under General 
Paine and C, F. Smith, at other points along the Ohio 
shore, at an equal distance from Cairo, on January 13th, 
ordered a general advance to take place the next morning. 
The forces marched in a triangle and scouted the country 
thoroughly, returning to the starting points on January 
20th. During this reconnoissance, General Grant discov- 
ered the weakness of the rebel forces in Kentucky, west of 
of the Tennessee River, and he at once prepared for an ad- 
vance on the enemy's defences on the banks of that stream. 
By this time a number of gunboats of light draft had been 



50 THE LIFE OP 

constructed on the Mississippi river, and bad been placed 
under the command of Commodore (since Admiral) Foote. 
These gunboats were to assist General Grant in the re- 
opening of that grand navigable water course, and per- 
formed their part of the operations with great effect. 

At the proper time the troops were withdrawn from 
Western Kentucky, and some transported to the other side 
of the Tennessee river, while others were sent back to 
Cairo. The movements of the latter force were noised 
abroad, while those of the former were kept secret — their 
place of rendezvous being at Paducah and Smithland. 

On the 2d of February, after dark, General Grant left 
Cairo for Paducah, and gave orders for a forward move- 
ment by land. The gunboats under Commodore Foote 
were ordered to start at a time that would enable them 
to co-operate with the army at the proper moment. 

At half-past eleven on the morning of February 6th, the 
gunboats presented themselves before Fort Henry, a de- 
fensive work commanding the Tennessee river on the 
Northern border of that State. The guns of the boats 
opened fire upon the works, and after an engagement of 
two hours and a quarter, the garrison of the fort, finding 
their retreat cut off by Grant's advancing forces, surren- 
dered to the navy before the mititary arrived at the post. 
Commodore Foote, however, turned the work, armament 
and prisoners over to General Grant, whose forces at once 
occupied the position. 

After having reduced Fort Henry, the next thing was 
to gain possession of Fort Donelson, a neighboring work 
commanding the passage of the Cumberland river. This 
fortification was much stronger than that of Fort Henry, 
and better garrisoned— fresh troops having but recently 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 51 

been sent into the defences. The Union forces were there- 
fore organized into three divisions, under Generals McClcr- 
nand, Smith and Wallace, and were so disposed, that in 
marching they would be sure to concentrate upon the 
enemy's works at such positions as to secure a complete in- 
vestment. 

On the morning of February 1 2th, the forward move- 
ment was ordered, and by noon the advance had readied 
the picket lines of the enemy. Dispositions were made 
during the night to prevent the escape of the garrison, and 
on the morning of the 13th the gunboat " Carondelet." with 
General Grant on board, advanced up the Cumberland 
river, to within gunshot of the works, for the purpose of 
drawing the enemy's fire, and giving time to the remainder 
of the forces to arrive at their proper positions. 

On the 14th the gunboats of the fleet moved up the 
river, and engaged the batteries — the plunging shots from 
which greatly injured the vessels. The gunboats had to 
withdraw, and General Grant began to make movements 
for a complete investment of the rebel works by the mili- 
tary forces. 

On the morning of the 15th, the rebels made a sortie 
from their works upon the right of General Grant's line, 
and by a sudden attack with superior numbers, drove back 
that part of his army and captured two batteries of artil- 
lery. General Grant, however, soon discovered where his 
line was weakened, and quickly strengthened it by order- 
ing up fresh troops, and manoeuvring others. The rebels 
were again attacked, and all but three of the guns were 
taken. 

The enemy being reinforced renewed the attack ; and 
while Grant was achieving a success at one point of the 



52 THE LIFE OP 

line, the rebels were carrying everything before them at 
another. To those in that part of the field, where the 
rebels were victorious, the prospect looked blank; but 

,when the evening reports were brought in to General 
Grant, he seemed to be impressed with the idea that the 
situation was not as unfavorable as it appeared at first. 
In fact, he stated that the rebels were " exactly where he 
wanted them." He then ordered a determined assault to 
be made on the enemy's position in front of the left of 
Grant's line, the position to be carried at any sacrifice. 
The works were carried gallantly, after a desperate strug- 
gle, the rebels being driven out at the point of the bayonet, 
and the " Stars and Stripes " placed over the defences, 
This success encouraged the troops at other points of the 
line, and the heights, commanding Fort Donelson were all 
carried by a storm. When the day ended, the U. S. 
troops occupied a better position than heretofore. The 
rebel works were all but invested, and the attacking force 

•slept on their arms. 

During the night a part of the rebel garrison fled, and 
the next morning beheld a flag of truce waving over the 
rebel works. General Buckner having, been left in com- 
mand of the post by those generals who had run away, 
proposed a commission to be appointed in view of settling 
terms of capitulation ; but Grant would listen to " no 
other terms than an unconditional surrender" of the works 
and garrisons. He concluded his reply with : " I propose 
to move immediately upon your works." General Buck- 
ner did not like the answer; but admitted that he was 
" compelled to accept the ungenerous and unchilvalrous 
terms " proposed. Such were the words used in reply to 
General Grant. 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 53 

The victory was a glorious one. By the surrender the 
rebels lost not only General Buckner, but over thirteen 
thousand other prisoners, three thousand horses, forty- 
eight field pieces, seventeen heavy guns, twenty thousand 
stand of small arms and a large quantity of stores, besides 
231 killed and 1,007 wounded. The Union loss was 446 
killed, 1,735 wounded and 150 prisoners. Two regiments 
of Tennesseeans numbering nearly fifteen hundred men 
sent to reinforce the garrison at Fort Doneldson were also 
taken, without a struggle, they being unaware of the capi- 
tulation on the previous day. 

The capture of these two forts opened up a water com- 
munication through the heart of Tennessee and Kentucky, 
and enabled the Union troops to advance far into the ene- 
my's territory. The defences at Columbus and Bowling 
Green were thus rendered valueless, as they had been 
erected to stop an advance which could not be made by 
another route without hindrance or opposition. Those 
works were, therefore, evacuated and afterwards occupied, 
by the Union troops. 

The surrender of Fort Donelson took place on February 
16th, 1862, and in reward for the brilliancy of the cam- 
paign, General Grant was promoted to the rank of Major- 
General of Volunteers, to date from that day. 

Up to this time General Grant had been reputed as a 
hard drinker, and therefore incapable of command. He 
was very uncouth and careless in his personal appearance ; 
his dress being thrown upon him and left to fall into its 
place, rather than being properly adjusted. There was 
but little of the usual tinsel and peacock finery of 
the fancy soldier in his appearance and far less of 
the general. This carelessness doubtless added to the bad 



54 THE LIFE OP 

influence engendered by the report of his inebriate habits, 
which, up to this time, may have had some amount of truth 
in it. Many inducements were brought to bear by his 
enemies on persons in power to cause his removal and, per- 
haps, their machinations would have succeeded, had it not 
been for the advice of Admiral Foote, who had noted the 
genius of General Grant, and did not like to see such an 
officer ruined by the use of ardent spirits. He visited the 
General at Fort Henry, and with the candor of a friend 
introduced the subject of the evil influence of intemper- 
ance in the army. He said, the existence of the nation 
and the rights of humantity demanded total abstinence, 
especially on the part of those in command ; and Grant 
being a man of greater sense than was accredited to him } 
saw in a moment the depth and importance of the words 
of the gallant sailor. From that day he resolved to be a 
strictly abstenious man, and he has kept his resolve and 
has prospered. 

Another incident occurred, which arose from the report 
of Grant's continuous drinking habit. A Temperance de- 
legation from Illinois visited St. Louis for the purpose of 
petitioning General Halleck to remove General Grant from 
command, on account of his reported bad habit, as ho 
" endangered the lives of the troops under his command." 
General Halleck, however, stated he " was satisfied with 
General Grant and thought they would also soon be." Be- 
fore the delegation had left St. Louis the news of the cap- 
ture of Fort Donelson and thirteen thousand prisoners ar- 
rived at headquarters, and General Halleck posted the 
news himself on the bulletin of the hotel. 

" Well," said General Halleck, in the hearing of all 
assembled in the office of the hotel, " if General Grant is 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 55 

such a drunkard as some persons state; and can yet win 
such victories as these, I think it is my duty to issue an 
order at once that any man or woman found sober to-night 
in the city of St. Louis, shall be put in the guard-house." 

It is said many took the hint, and a night of general 
jollification ensued ; and among the most jovial were the 
members of the temperance delegation from Illinois. 



CHAPTER VII. 

GRANT AS A MAJOR-GENERAL OP VOLUNTEERS. 

Gianfs Command again Extended — Movements through Tennessee — 
Pittsburg Landing — Grant on Retreating — Commander of a Department— 
Juka — Corinth,No. 2— Victory — Vicksburg — Advance of the Winter of 1862 
and ichy it Failed— Arkansas Post — Change of Base — Side Expeditions — 
Naval Co-operation — Grierson's Expedition — Advance to, and Siege of 
Vicksburg— Victory and Surrender of the Works — Promotions, Sfc. 

To enable General Grant to carry out his plaus, and to 
move without infringing upon the limits of another's com- 
mand, his district was increased to embrace all the country 
between the Tennessee and Mississippi rivers, from the 
Ohio to the Mississippi State line, and to include Cairo. 
His headquarters were located at any point where the 
commander might be. The change of district— which was 
now called the District of West Tennessee— enabled him 
to have the use of the Tennessee River for transportation, 
and, after the capture of Fort Henry had been effected, a 
reconnoissance proved that stream to be without obstruc- 
tion to the head of navigation. Grant therefore laid his 
plans that his troops should be sent up the Tennessee 
River, and from a point of landing to march to the capture 
of Memphis, and of the railroads leading thereto. 



56 THE LIFE OP 

Meanwhile a co-operating force under the command of 
General Buell was marching through Central Kentucky, 
and with the assistance of the gunboats, that had, by the 
capture of Fort Donelson, been enabled to pass up the 
Cumberland river, took possession of Nashville, Tennessee. 
Part of General Grant's forces had already secured Clarks- 
villc, and the Cumberland river was now considered as 
once more open for United States vessels. 

General Buell's forces were now to march through 
Tennessee to the border, marked by the line of the Tennes- 
see river on the east side of the stream, while General 
Grant was to advance his forces along the west side of the 
same water course, both armies to arrive at about the same 
spot near the head of navigation, at about the same time. 

Previous to General Grant's advance, the officers of 
the regimemts under his command presented him with a 
fine sword, of elaborate workmanship, in appreciation of 
his skill in the taking of Forts Henry and Donaldson. 
This presentation took place on March 11, 18G2. Mean- 
while the advance of his forces had already passed up the 
Tennessee River to Savannah, his new base of operations. 

The enemy at this time had concentrated an army in the 
Southwest, under Generals A. S. Johnston and Beauregard, 
with their headquarters at Corinth, Miss. The object of 
this was to prevent, if possible, the Union troops from 
gaining the lower Mississippi river by way of Memphis ; 
the navigation from the north having been impeded by the 
fortification of' New Madrid and Island No. 10, near the 
northwest corner of the Tennessee State line. The troops 
under General Grant had also concentrated at Savannah, 
Tenn., and on March 15th, 18G2, advanced across the Ten- 
nessee river into McNairy County, and struck the railroad 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 57 

leading from Jackson, Tenn.. to Corinth, at a place known 
as Purely Station. This delayed the passage of the rebel 
troops, en route for Corinth, but did not prevent their con- 
centration, the enemy having other lines of transportation. 
By the 1st of April the rebel force was estimated at forty- 
five thousand strong at Corinth, with reinforcements en, 
route to swell the numbers to about seventy thousand. 
Grant's army had crossed the river, and was then in camp 
at Pittsburg Landing. 

On April 2d, 1862, the rebels drove in the Union 
videttes, and the next day prepared for a general advance 
upon Grant's camp, which, as before stated, had been lo- 
cated at Pittsburg Landing, nearly opposite Savannah. 
At this time all the forces under General Grant consisted 
of but five divisions, much less than fifty thousand men, 
part of which force was stationed some distance to the 
north, and not readily to be made available. On the 
evening of April 4th, the enemy made a reconnoissance 
in force to discover the exact position of Grant's troops, 
while at the same time a body of cavalry was sent to pre- 
vent the junction of these forces north of Grant's position, 
with the main army. Both manoeuvres succeeded, giving the 
advantage entirely to the rebels, whose object was to de- 
feat Grant * before the co-operating forces under Buell 
could reach him — the plan of campaign having been made 
known to the enemy by traitors within the Union lines. 

Early on the morning of Sunday, April 6th, the rebels 
commenced their advance, driving in the Union pickets, 
while sharpshooters began to pick off the officers. Shortly 
after the main army of the enemy, in heavy masses, ap- 
peared within view of Grant's headquarters, and every 
disposition was made by the Union troops to receive it. 



58 THE LIFE OP 

Steadily, foot by foot, the Union forces resisted the ad- 
vance, until they were forced back to the river, which cut 
off all further retreat. The enemy pressed them the moro 
closely, when they saw they were falling back, in the hope 
of driving them in disorder into the river, but the Union 
troops, although considerably outnumbered, resisted with a 
determination worthy of their cause. From nine o'clock in 
the morning until nightfall, it was a continuous struggle — 
the rebels engaging right, left and centre at the same time, 
and with equal impetuosity ; but the most severe part of 
the conflict took place in the afternoon — the rebels hoping 
to effect a complete defeat of the Union troops before 
night. The enemy outnumbered the Union forces nearly 
two to one, and the condition of the latter was a very 
critical one. Grant instantly saw the position of affairs, 
and knowing that Buell was making forced marches to 
reach him, he rode along the front of the lines, and called 
upon the men to stand firm until the troops under that 
officer could arrive, for on their firmness depended the is- 
sue ot the great campaign in the Southwest. The two 
gunboats in the river were ordered to fire on the enemy, 
and threw their heavy shells into the advancing ranks, 
checking the impetuous assault. When night closed 
Grant's troops still held their position on the west bank 
of the river, but the rebels slept close on their front. 

During the night Bucll's troops arrived, and next morn- 
ing the reinforced Union army, under Grant's directions, 
recommenced the action. The rebels had to fall back ; 
but still they resisted the contest with great determination 
and bravery, as they were fully aware that defeat would 
be a death-blow to their hopes. The struggle was obsti- 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 59 

nate all the morning ; but during the afternoon General 
Grant finding that the enemy was wavering, ordered a 
charge across the field of battle, and led the same in per- 
son. His courage inspired the troops; and amid a hail, 
storm of shell and cannister as well as round shot, the gal- 
lant soldiers rushed like an avalanche upon the foe, who 
fled in dismay, and never made another stand. Grant or- 
dered an immediate pursuit, and the disheartened rebels 
took refuge in their works at Corinth — the pursuing 
forces picking up stragglers all the way along the route. 

During this action the rebels lost their leader and 
principal general, Albert Sydney Johnston, one of the 
first generals in their army. General Grant was slightly 
wounded during the contest, but did not leave the field. 
The Union loss was estimated at 1,500 killed, and 3,500 
wounded, with many prisoners. The rebel loss was much 
heavier in killed and wounded. Notwithstanding the 
disparity in the casualties, the victory, was, however with 
Grant and the War Department awarded him its thanks 
and the thanks of the nation. 

A reconnoissance the next day discovered that the re- 
treat of the rebels had been a disastrous one, and but for 
their strong cavalry rear guard, must have resulted in a 
decided rout. 

When the battle was over, General Buell, a thorough 
theoretical soldier, began criticising in a friendly way the 
impolicy of Grant's having fought a battle with the Ten- 
nessee river behind his men ; a course of action entirely 
in opposition to all laid down rules in warfare. 

" Where," inquired Buell, " if beaten, could you have 
retreated, General?" 



60 THE LIFE OF 

" I did not mean to be beaten," was Grant's sententious 
reply. 

" But suppose you had been beaten in spite of all your 
exertions, where could you have retreated ?" 

" Well, there were the transports to carry the remains 
of the command across the river." 

" But, General," said Buell, " your whole transports 
could not contain over ten thousand men, and it would 
have been impossible to make more than one trip in the 
face of the enemy." 

" Well,'' said Grant, as he lit another cigar, " if I had 
been beaten^ transports for ten thousand men would have 
been abundant for all that would havClbeen left of us." 

It will be remembered that Gi-ant'sa rmy was nearly 
fifty thousand strong-, and the remark is characteristic of 
the man. 

General Halleck, shortly after this battle, assumed com- 
mand in person of the forces in the field ; and General 
Grant assumed command of his immediate troops. The 
army was at once reorganized, and the forces that had 
been engaged in the reduction of New Madrid and Island 
No. 10, were added to the command, which now consisted 
of sixteen divisions, divided into three armies. Ot these 
forces General Grant commanded one half — eight divisions 
under the denomination of the " Army of the Tennessee," 
a name still highly honored in the South- West. 

An outcry was now raised by the friends of those who 
had fallen at Shiloh, and by the enemies of Grant and the 
North, calling for the removal of that officer on the ground 
that he had caused a useless slaughter of his men. Even 
in Congress this feeling had gained ground, and it was fur- 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 61 

thermorc reported, with many assertions of truth, that Grant 
had in reality failed in the first day's battle at Pitts- 
burg Landing, or Shiloh. A strong effort was even there 
made to cause his removal. But an advocate arose in tho 
person of Hon. E. B. Washburne, who in the face of the 
whole House defended the cause of a general in whom he 
placed implicit faith. The Western governors tried to 
induce General Halleck to remove him from the field 5 
but that officer, knowing and appreciating his worth' 
placed Lira, on May 1st, 18G2, in a more important posi- 
tion, that of second in command, or commanding general 
in the field, allowing him to retain the superintendence of 
his own forces and district. 

> A number of reconnaissances were next made along the 
front of the Union position, after which, on May 11th, a 
general advance was determined upon, in the direction of 
Corinth. The rebels resisted the movement, and skirmishes 
and conflicts naturally ensued, until, on May 17th, a sharp 
fight ensued on the right of the Union line, at a place 
known as Russell's House. The desired position was at 
last secured by the Union troops after a hard fight, A 
new fea'ture now presented itself. As Corinth had been 
made a strongly defended fortification it was resolved to 
approach it with counter works, as it was found impossible 
to. thoroughly invest it. The rebel general, Beauregard, 
fully understanding what must be the result of such a pro- 
cedure, now began to withdraw his troops, leaviug only 
enough to defend the position against actual assault, and, to 
make a show of front against the Unionists. 

On May 21st a division of General Grant's army of the 
Tennessee took possession of a ridge north of Philip's 



62 THE LIFE OP 

Creek, capturing prisoner?!, arms, equiments, &c. ; and on 
the 27th another light took place further to the right, re- 
sulting in the defeat of the enemy. Both these contests 
were conducted under the direct superintendence of Gen- 
eral Grant. 

Next day General Grant led three columns of troops to 
within musket shot of the works at Corinth, his advance 
being stoutly resisted by the troops left in front of those 
works. The Union force however pressed forward, con- 
structing works as they advanced, until the remnant of 
Beauregard's- army that had been left behind in Corinth, 
discovering the inutility of longer holding the defences, 
withdrew, shortly before midnight on May 29th, leaving 
them entirely unprotected. The next morning the with- 
drawal was discovered and the works were at once oc- 
cupied by the Union troops. The city was taken posses- 
sion of about eight o'clock in the morning. 

It has been a subject of wonder ever since that the 
enemy should have given up so strong and valuable a 
position without a more decided struggle, especially after 
taking such pains to fortify it. An assault "would have 
been very costly to the assailing forces, and a stubborn 
resistance might have delayed the occupation of the pake 
for some time longer. 

Cavalry expeditions had been sent out for the purpose 
of cutting off the retreat of some portion of the enemy's 
forces; but the rebels had obtained too good a start, and 
on the 9th of June was at least seventy miles from Corinth, 
and entrenched. 

On the 20th of June a part of Grant's army which had 
been in pursuit of the retreating rebels took possession 
of Holly Springs, Miss., and destroyed the road leading 
south, to prevent a surprise by the rebels. 

General Halleck left the Department of the Mississippi 
on July 17th 18G2, to take command of all the United 
States armies, his headquarters to be at Washington. This 
naturally led to the re-construction of his Department; 
and all the country from the Mississippi river to the 



ULYSSES SIMrSON GRANT. C3 

western shore of the Tennessee, Cairo, Ports Henry anrl 
Donelson, the western shore of the Mississipp river and 
the northern part of the state of Mississippi was formed 
into a military district and General Grant made its com- 
mander. This section of country was denominated the 
" District of West Tennessee." Within a month it was 
made into a separate department under the same name. 

Very little fighting occurred in the department from 
June to September 1863 — General Grant being principally 
engaged in restoring order in the conqured cities, and in 
the suppression of actual aiding and abetting of the enemy 
by the rebel sympathizers. A skirmish would, however, 
take place between the guerillas and the post guards ; but 
in these operations the rebels generally fared the worse, as 
General" Grant had looked after all such positions. 

September, however, opened with very important op- 
erations by the rebels in the Southwest. General Bragg, 
at the head of a large force commanded a movement 
through East Tennessee and Kentucky to the Ohio 
River, and thus engaged the army acting on the East of 
the Tennessee River. Meanwhile Grant kept a thorough 
lookout with his cavalyy upon any forces likely to operate 
west of that stream, and this system of reconnoissance kept 
him fully aware of the approach of General Price's column. 
Grant in order to be prepared for action withdrew all his 
advanced camps to the defences of Corinth, and then be- 
gan to advance on Price's position at Iuka. Early on the 
morning of September 18th, the Union troops commenced 
their march by two routes, the column under General 
Rosecrans advancing by the south, the other under Gen- 
eral Ord, and which Grant accompanied himself, approach- 
ing the town from the north, via Brownsville. Had the 
concentration of the forces been properly effected, Price's 
army would doubtless have been captnred ; but owing to 
the haste with which the troops on the south of the town 
attacked the enemy, the latter were enabled to escape, 
not, however, until after a severe contest early on Septem- 
ber 19th, during which one third of the Union column 



64 THE LIFE OF 

was killed or wounded. Price's army was severely 
crippled, losing as much as 216 left dead on the field, be- 
ides the wounded ; but not sufficiently hurt to prevent its 
retreat. General Grant's object was to have cut off all 
chances of escape by any route ; but the engagement hav- 
ing been prematurely brought on, prevented his plans 
from succeeding. 

General Grant, finding that General Bragg had reached 
Kentucky, determined to centralize his headquarters, and 
locate it at Jackson, Tenn , placing a general commander 
over the post at Corinth. Price's column, which had re- 
treated from Iuka, by a circuitous route, marched to Rip- 
Icy, southwest of Corinth, and there concentrated with 
other forces under Van Dorn and Lovell. The object of 
this movement was to re- take Corinth, if possible. Gen- 
Grant, however, kept himself fully aware of the move- 
ments of the enemy, and had so disposed of his forces that 
if the rebels made an attack he would not only be ready 
to meet it, but administer to them a severe casttgation. 

The concentrated forces of the rebels began their ad- 
vance upon October 1st, and on the 4th made a determined 
and desperate attack upon Corinth. General Grant at 
once sent reinforcements to that place under General Mc- 
Pherson. The fighting was obstinate, but by noon the 
rebels were driven from the city, in disorder and chased 
into the woods. Next morning they were followed up and 
were pushed rapidly toward the Hatchie River ; but they 
were then met by the forces under Generals Ord and 
Hurlburt. The rebels were next driven across the stream, 
and Grant's troops took possession of the heights. Th e 
pursuit was still kept up, and next moaning General Grant 
received a telegram that the enemy was " totally routed, 
throwing everything away." The repulse was disastrous. 
President Lincoln, appreciating the value of this victory, 
sent to General Grant a letter of thanks and congratula- 
tions for the series of brilliant operations pex'formed by 
his command. 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT, . G5 

General Grant's department was, on October 26th, 
further increased and extended so as to embrace Vicks- 
burg, and all the State of Mississippi north of that city. 
It was denominated the Department of the Tennessee. 

Meanwhile General Bragg'a rebel forces were holding 
in their possession all that part of Tennessee west of the 
city of Nashville. The position thus held was in the ad- 
joining department to that of General Grant, and opera- 
tions were inaugurated by the Union commander of that 
department to drive the enemy from the State. 

General Grant now prepared his army for a grand 
movement in the direction of Vicksburg, a strongly forti- 
fied position- on the Mississippi River, and the principal 
point at which the rebels prevented the navigation of that 
great highway. He cut down the baggage trains of his 
iorces, and recruited his strength until it numbered four 
corps. At the latter end of October he sent forth cavalry 
parties on reconnoitering expeditions, and on the 4th of 
November, removed his headquarters to La Grange, near 
the Mississippi State line, and near Grand Junction. This 
position enabled him to command communication with all 
important forces north of him, while it brought him much 
nearer to his lin3 of operations. 

The cavalry were again sent forth, this time as an ad- 
vance guard, followed by a large body of infantry under 
General McPherson, The enemy's position along the rail- 
road to the Mississippi State capital was thereby definite- 
ly ascertained to be as follows : General Lovcll held com- 
mand of the country north of Holly Springs and General 
Pemberton the country between there and Jackson, the 
State capital, with Price as a subordinate. The number 
of men between Grant and the State capital was estimated 
at about fifty thousand men of all arms. 

General Grant having regulated the working of his de- 
partment, so as to leave nothing behind him to cause con- 
fusion, at once prepared for a winter's campaign against 
Vicksburg. He first sent a force of cavalry ami infantry 



6Q THE LIFE OF 

from the shore of the Mississippi River on a reconnoissance . 
along the line of the Coldwater and Tallahatchie rivers, 
and an expedition to Garner's station of the railroad lead- 
ing to Jackson, was inaugurated to destory the bridge and 
track at that point. The expeditions were pushed for- 
ward to Panola, Oakland and Coffeeville, and inflicted a 
great amount of damage to the roads and railroads. These 
movements were principally intended as diversions from the 
main object of the advance. 

General Grant, with one of the main columns, started 
about the same time from Grand Junction on the road to 
Jackson, and on November 28th, left Davis's Mills for 
Holly Springs — a cavalry force leading the way. On the 
29th the advance passed through Holly Springs arriving 
near Waterford the next day. On December 2d, the 
rebels evacuated Abbeville, and the mounted Union troops 
occupied the place. On the 3d the cavalry occupied Oxford 
altera series of skirmishes; followed the roads through 
Water Valley on the 4th, and defeated the rebels in a 
skirmish near Coffeeville on the oth. It will thus be seen, 
that the two forces— from the Mississippi river and Gran i 
Junction — -were operating in the same region at the same 
time, although from different points, thereby creating a 
perfect panic among the rebel inhabitants. 

The rebels tried to divert General Grant's attention 
from his main movement by operations in his rear, but up 
to this time had entirely failed. That commander, there- 
lore, about the middle of December, 1862, moved his head- 
quarters from Holly Springs to Oxford, Miss., from which 
point ho intended to advance upon Jackson; but the 
Offi :er he left in charge of Holly Springs betrayed his 
trust and surrendered that post, with all its stores and sup- 
plies, to the rebels, without even a show of resistance. As 
this post had been made a depot and semi-base for future 
operations, it not only prevented any further advance oi 
General Grant's forces, but caused him to retrace his steps 
and re-establish hfs headquarters at Holly Springs. This 
disgraceful surrender defeated the winter campaign, as will 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GKANT, 67 

be at once seen, and the officer who had allowed the sur- 
render, alter an investigation into his conduct, was dis- 
gracefully dismissed from the service of the United States. 

In conjunction with General Grant's advance was anoth- 
er expedition under General Sherman, which started from 
Memphis- down the Mississippi river to the Yazoo river 
with the intention of striking at Vicksburg from the north, 
while General Grant occupied the attention of the rebels 
at Jackson. Everything went well until the surrender 
of Holly Springs ; but this occurring at a time when it was 
impossible either to recall General Sherman, or to assist 
by a diversion, the rebels were enabled to reinforce the gar- 
rison at Vicksburg by the very troops Grant had intended 
to keep in his front, and the result was that General Sherman 
was, on December 29th, 1852, repulsed with some loss. 
Thus, by the treachery of one man the winter campaign . 
was rendered unavailing, and hundreds of gallant fellows 
slain. 

The first Vicksburg campaign ended, General Grant 
next turned his attention toward the western shore of the 
Mississippi river, which formed part of his department. 
The rebels had fortified a point of the Arkansas river near 
its junction with the White river, so as to obstruct the 
navigation. The fort had been constructed at what was 
known as the Post of Arkansas, and was well armed and 
garrisoned. General Sherman proposed a plan by which 
tliis work could be taken, and his corps, together with that 
of General McClernand, was set apart by General Grant to 
accomplish the work. As General McClernand slightly out- 
ranked General Sherman, he took the nominal command of 
the expedition, which was accompanied by the gunboat licet 
uudcr Admiral Porter. On the 10th of January the fleet 
attacked the forts and silenced the battery. Next morn- 
ing it re-commenced the attack, and dismounted every 
gun — eleven in all. The troops attacked the work the' land 
side, and after preliminary operations stormcd.it at one o'- 
clock, capturing the fort and garrison, nearly ten thousand 
prisoners, all the guns, stores, animals and munitions of 



68 THE LIFE OP 

war, fell into the hands of the Union troops — the com- 
mander surrendering to Admiral Porter. 

This operation removed a powerful enemy from the rear 
of Grant, and enabled him to change his base to the west 
side of the Mississippi river. During the. latter pait of 
January his headquarters were established at Young's 
Point, on the Louisiana shore, preparatory to his grand 
movement on Vicksburg. 

General Grant had certainly fixed upon the plan to be 
adopted, for the capture of Vicksburg, long before it de- 
veloped itself; but it was necessary to deceive the enemy 
as to his real object, in order to carry it out with success. 
He therefore ordered a number of feints and side expedi- 
tions to be entered upon, for the purpose of distracting the 
attention of the foe from his main movement ; and in this 
he succeeded admirably. Among these expeditions may 
be mentioned those by way of the Yazoo Pass, Lake Pro- 
vidence, Steele's Bayou, and the Williams Canal — neither 
of which were ever expected to succeed. They, however 
engaged the attention of the rebels, and kept his troops 
employed, until he was able to make his final grand move- 
ment. 

The navy also co-operated in these movements and di- 
yersions; and by running the batteries and other brilliant 
operations, spread a perfect reign of terror and anxiety 
among the rebel residents of that region. 

One expedition, however, deserves more espejial men- 
tion than the others, inasmuch as it was the first successful 
one of the kind during the war. This was the cavalry 
expedition under Colonel (since General) Grierson. On 
the 17th of April 1833, three regiments of cavalry left 
Lagrange, at two o'clock in the morning, and started 
southwards,upon a raid through the rebel lines from Gen- 
eral Grant's, department to that of General Banks. A 
part of the forces returned ; but the main column travelled 
over eight hundred miles through an enemy's country ; suc- 
ceeded in destroying two locomotives, and about two hun- 
dred cars ; burned or otherwise injured nine bridges ; broke 



ULYSSES SIMrSON GRANT. C9 

up and destroyed the trades of three railroads and severed 
two lines of telegraph wire; destroyed three rebel camps, 
and as many important mails; burned a tannery; took 
over a thousand prisoners, and captured over twelve hun- 
dred horses: making a destruction of valuable property 
to an amount equal to four millions of dollars, exclusive 
of its especial value to the army at that time. Grierson 
found the rebel defensive lines to be a mere shell which 
when pierced was all but empty on the inside. Tins cav- 
alry expedition not only diverted the rebels' attention*, 
but also succeeded in severing their communications, there- 
by greatly aiding General Grant in his subsequent opera- 
tions. Several cavalry expeditions were started from other 
points and were carried out with varied success; that of 
Colonel Streight's from the army of the Cumberland, prov- 
ing a failure — he and his whole party being captured. 

During the latter part of March and before the depart- 
ure of Grierson's column, Grant commenced moving his 
army along the Louisiana shore of the Mississippi River to 
below the line of Vickstiurg, capturing the village of 
Richmond on March 30th, and then pushing on to New 
Carthage nearly opposite to Grand Gulf. The march was 
performed at the worst season of the year for travel, and 
at a time when the roads were soft and spongy from recent 
floods. Military stores and ammunition had to be hauled 
in wagons over these bad roads and many times were 
drawn by hand, as were also the field pieces, etc. 

The main column was thus making its way along until, 
on the morning of the 28th of April, it arrived at the 
Mississipi river, opposite Grand Gulf, where it was em- 
barked on the transports which had under the cover of 
night run by the batteries of Vicksburg for that purpose. 
Under the protection of the gunboats the troops were 
moved into the middle of the stream, ready to disembark 
when the works should be reduced; but in consequence of 
the strength of the rebel batteries, the troops were unable 
to effect a landing at any point between Vicksburg and 
Grand Gulf. It was therefore resolved upon by General 



70 THE LIFE OF 

Grant to march his forces further overland, until they had 
reached a point below the Grand Gulf batteries ; and 
then re-embark and transport them across the river to a 
point where they might effect a landing. The men were 
therefore disembarked ; and the empty vessels were sent 
down the stream to run the fire from the batteries, which 
they succeesfully passed. On the morning- of April 30th, 
the troops were re-embarked ; transported to the other 
side of the river, and landed on the shore at Bruinsburg, 
several miles below Vicksburg. 

Meanwhile, a feint attempt was to be made, by a column 
under General Sherman, as if to land a force of troops 
north of Vicksburg by way of the Yazoo River. The 
lauding was effected on April 29th and 3(Jth, in full view 
of the enemy, who made every demonstration of an inten- 
tion to resist the movement; but after a great deal of noise 
and bustle, the troops were re-embarked, General Sher- 
man having received an order from General Grant to 
hasten and rejoin him at Grand Gulf. Sherman's forces 
were then carried back to the Louisiana shore where they 
were disembarked, and marched across the country to a 
point where they could cross the river to Grand Gulf. 

The column under General Grant had during this inter- 
val been making rapid progress. After landing at Bruins- 
burg, it pushed on to the rear of Grand Gulf, and as every 
man was in light marching order the movements were but 
slightly impeded- 

On the next morning, May 1st, the column met the ene- 
my at Thompson's Hills, thirteen miles from Bruinsburg. 
After a sharp battle the rebels were defeated with great 
loss, and the village of Port Gibson was occupied the next 
morning by the Union troops. General Grant was present 
during- the battle and directed the movements that fol- 
lowed. The rebels had retreated over the Bayou Pierre, 
and had burned the bridge behind them ; but Grant's 
troops soon followed, and a floating bridgo speedily re- 
placed the one destroyed. In the afternoon the enemy was 
pursued across the stream; the pursuit being so rapid that 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GIIANT, 71 

the rebels were not able to destroy their stores, and after 
the Union troops had taken possession of these supplies 
they pushed on to the line of the Black River. 

On the 3d of May General Grant entered Grand Gulf 
which had been evacuated by the enemy, and having made 
it his headquarters prepared to land his supplies and dis- 
tribute them among his command. He had also told Gen- 
eral Sherman to join him at that point ; and it was 
necessary that he should await his arrival. General Sher- 
man began his passage of the river on May 6th, and before 
the close of the next day had landed at Grand Gulf all his 
troops, baggage and supplies. 

The retreat of the rebels up to this date had been dis- 
astrous in the extreme ; General Grant not allowing them 
any time to recover from their surprise. Having received 
all the supplies and reinforcements he expected the Union 
commander determined to move with such rapidity as 
would leave the enemy no time to recover from any of their 
defeats before another would be administered ; and there- 
by he expected to cause demoralization and panic among 
their ranks. Leaving General Sherman at Grand Gulf he 
removed his headquarters to Hankinson's Ferry, and made 
certain demonstrations as if he intended to advance upon 
Vicksburg by the Black "River route. On the morning 
of the 7th the two columns — the 13th and 17th corps— 
that had been with General Grant were now ordered for- 
ward, while the troops under General Sherman — the 15th 
corps — were to follow as soon as ready. All the ferries 
of the Black River were closely guarded, and every effort 
made to mislead the enemy. 

The Seventeenth corps was moved on May 7th to Rocky 
Springs, and the Fifteenth corps occupied the old camp 
just evacuated. On the 9th the former pushed on to Utica 
and the ICth the Thirteenth corps marched to Five Mile 
Creek. On the 11th the Fifteenth corps passed the Thir- 
teenth and encamped at Auburn, followed en route by 
the latter, which took the road to Hall's Ferry at the 
Black River, arriving at that point in the evening. At 



72 THE LIFE OP 

this time the three corps formed an immense line of battle 
several miles in extent with a tendency towards the east. 
On the same day General Grant severed his connection 
with the Grand Gulf, 

On the 12th the fighting- again commenced. The advance 
of the Thirteenth corps drove in the pickets of the enemy 
at Hall's Ferry, and after a few hours fighting, without 
severe loss, the rebels witedrew. The same day the Fif- 
teenth corps engaged the rebels on Fourteen Mile Creek 
near Auburn, and after some sharp fighting the enemy fell 
back to Raymond. The Seventeenth corps was, meanwhile, 
advancing upon Raymond by another road, and met the 
rebels about two miles southwest of that village. A con- 
test ensued in which the enemy was severely beaten and 
driven towards Jackson. The Seventeenth corps then 
moved northward across the country to Clinton, where it 
arrived on May 13th. The Fifteenth corps took the va- 
cated position at Raymond, and both columns thus advanced 
upon Jackson in that order, moving on nearly parallel 
lines to the same point. As these columns again advanced 
the Thirteenth corps took up its position in the rear at 
Raymond. 

The next morning, May 14th,*the Fifteenth and Seven- 
teenth corps commenced their march in a heavy rain storm, 
and along mirey roads towards Jackson. The troops 
" advanced in excellent order, nearly fourteen miles," and 
at noon the enemy was met just outside of the city of 
Jackson, and ready to dispute Grant's advance. An 
engagement ensued, and although the rebels were under 
the command of one of their best generals, Joseph E. 
Johnston, the plan of battle was so excellent that they 
were defeated and driven through the city, which was 
occupied by the Union troops on May 14th. General. 
Grant at once removed his headquartdrs to that place, 
and sent a dispatch to Washington recording the victory. 

As soon as the city was occupied, all workshops, rail- 
roads, bridges, depots of military supplies, &c, were de- 



ULYSSES SIAIPSON GRANT. 73 

stroyed ; and this work employed part of the forces during 
the forenoon of May 15th. 

General Grant, having ascertained in Jackson that the 
rebels had resolved upon a certain plan of action, deter- 
mined to thwart their designs. General Pemberton, who 
commanded the rebel forces in Vicksburg, had been or- 
dered by General Johnston to move out of that place and 
attack Grant's army in the rear, while he engaged it in the 
front. Grant having defeated Johnston before Pember- 
ton could arrive, had somewhat altered the rebel plan ; 
but still Pemberton was advancing towards Jackson. 
Grant therefore ordered the Seventeenth corps to retrace 
its steps to Clinton on the Vicksburg and Jackson rail- 
road, and the Thirteenth corps to march northward from 
Raymond towards the same line of travel. The Thirteenth 
corps reached Bolton on the morning of the 15th and 
captured that place witli its garrison. The Seventeenth 
corps passed through Clinton, the same day en route west- 
ward ly, and General Grant, the same afternoon, had his 
headquarters in that village. General Grant always 
moved with his army ; never hesitating to go to any point 
where he had ordered his troops. 

Next morning the Thirteenth Corps moved towards Ed- 
ward's Station, closely followed by the Seventeenth Corps. 
The rebels were met near the place and an engagement 
ensued, which resulted in the battle of Champion's LI ill, 
on May 16th, and a victory for Grant's army. The 
enemy retreated across the Black River, with the Union 
forces in close pursuit. The 'Fifteenth Corps, which 
had left Jackson on the morning of the lGth of May, by 
forced marches reached Bolton on the same day, and next 
day at noon was at Bridgeport on the Black river. Gen- 
eral Grant had provided for the means of crossing that 
water course, having sent the pontoon train by another 
route, therefore no delay was experienced by the troops 
on their arrival at Bridgeport. The rebels, who had fall- 
en back from Champion's Hill, had taken up a strong pos- 
ition on both sides of the Black river, below Bridgeport, 



7.-1 THE LIFE OF 

and their camps were connected by the railroad bridge 
across that stream. Tie river could not be forded at that 
point, and the spot had been well selected as their camps 
could not easily be turned in the immediate vicinity. The 
Thirteenth Corps having followed the rebels in their re- 
treat, now attacked them on the eastern shore of the 
river, and the enemy on the western shore, finding that the 
other camp must be taken, severed the connection between 
them by firing the bridge, thus cutting off the retreat of 
their friends in the hope of delaying Grant's advance. 
The eastern camp was therefore captured, and all the men 
taken prisoners, after a spirited engagement on May 17th. 

During that night floating bridges were constructed, and 
over these the Thirteenth and Seventeenth Corps crossed 
the river, on the direct line to Vicksburg, while the Fif- 
teenth Corps crossed the same stream at Bridgeport. 
Thus the whole army, notwithstanding their recent battles, 
were advancing at the same time, in three columns, right, 
left and centre, in the direction of the fortified city of 
Vicksburg. 

During the advance, the Fifteenth Corps turned aside 
and took possession of Walnut Hills, thereby opening com- 
munication with the Yazoo river, and obtaining a new base 
of supplies. The enemy occupying the works on these 
hills, finding Grant in their rear, at once evacuated them, 
and the Union troops speedily took possession. The Sev- 
enteenth Corps then occupied the position vacated by the 
Fifteenth, and the Thirteenth marched to St. Albans, thus 
the three corps occcpied the ground around Vicksburg, as 
far as their number would allow. 

On May 19th, 1863, Vicksburg was nearly invested. 
An assault was made on that day by the Fifteenth Corps 
upon the rebels' outer works, but being unsupported the 
troops did but little more than secure an advanced posi- 
tion, although the assault was of the most gallant kind. 
The fight lasted until dark, when the assaulting column 
was withdrawn to bivouac for the ni.-ht. 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 75 

The supplies having been furnished by way of the Yazoo 
River, the troops were recruited from the fatigues of the 
previous three weeks, and preparations were made for a 
vigorous assault upon the defences of the city. The heavy 
guns opened on May 20th, but elicited no reply ; while, at 
the same time, the skirmishers were pushed forward to 
within one hundred and fifty miles of the enemy's works. 
Skirmishing ensued along the whole line, but no general 
engagement until the morning of May 22d, when General 
Grant resolved to make another assault upon the enemy's 
position. 

General Grant gave as one of the reasons why he or- 
dered this assault that he was derirous of securing the 
place without calling for more forces ; as if he could have 
done so he might have been able to have carried on a 
complete campaign in that vicinity before the favorable 
season ended. He further stated that he was sure that, 
if repulsed, the men would the more willing work in 
the trenches, as they would then know the defences could 
not be taken by storm. 

The attack was ordered for ten o'clock on the morning 
of the 22d, at which hour, under cover of artillery, the 
men charged upon the works with fixed bayonets. The 
charge was made along the whole line, General Grant 
holding a position in the centre where he could have a 
clear view of nearly the etirne field. 

The outer works were breached by the artillery in sev- 
eral places, and slope and ditch were carried at the point 
of the bayonet. The Union flag was planted on the 
bastions of several parts of the line, and the assault was a 
gallant one. But the defences were too strong and far too 
well planted to be thus taken. One line of works covered 
another, and when the first was taken tho assaul ting- 
column found itself under the fire from the inner line. 
Vicksburg was by nature a strong place, being built on a 
series of hills or bluffs, facing the river, with rugged 
ground running inland ; and art, under the direction of 



76 THE LIFE OP 

very skilful engineers, had made it still stronger, until it 
was now nearly impregnable. 

When the troops found they were repulsed they did not 
despair of success, but settled themselves down with a de- 
termination to reduce the place by means of the spade- 
that being the plan then settled upon by General Grant. 

Under the influence of the less violent though none the 
Ipsa deadly implements of warfare, the parallel gradually 
but surely approached Vicksburg ; and Pemberton's rebel 
forces were penned up within the walls built by them- 
selves. The navy by the river and the army in the rear, 
kept up a continued and vigorous shelling of the place, 
until the inhabitants had to dig caves and burrow in the 
ground to save their lives. The supplies to the city were 
cut off as well as every meas of communication with 
General Johnston's forces at Canton, and the investment of 
the city was complete — reinforcements having been sent to 
Grant for that purpose. 

To prevent General Johnston from inflicting any serious 
disaster upon Grant's working parties, expeditions were 
sent to the rear to discover his whereabouts. Although 
oftimes threatening to annihilate the whole of Grants' 
army, he always appeared to avoid any engagement even 
with a small portion of the same ; therefore the seige pro- 
ceeded steadily but surely. The rebels in Vicksburg had 
stated that they placed their full reliance in the Lord, 
and expected Johnston to come to their relief. 

General Grant while writing to General Sherman the 
commander of one of these expeditions — intimated that " as 
they seemed to place their reliance in the Lord and Joe 
Johnston, it would be necessary to defeat the latter at 
least fifteen miles off;" and gave his orders accordingly. 

About the middle of June, 1863, a portion of Grant's 
army was selected to dig a mine under 'the rebel works of 
Vicksburg; and the utmost secrecy was kept as to the move- 
ment. On June 25th, the work was complete, the powder 
deposited, and preparations made to fire the same. At a 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 71 

given signal the match was applied, and one of the forts, 
with men, cannon, and stores, was blown high in the air. 
The explosion was a signal for an assault and a general artil- 
lery discharge along the whole line; and during th<i con- 
fusion the outer works were taken. General activity was 
manifested by the troops along the whole of Grant's front, 
and during that night the troops slept on their arms ready 
for any emergency. , 

All that night a vigorous shelling of the city was kept 
up both by the army and navy ; and the enemy was not 
allowed to rest. The shells were, however, fired with the 
intention of striking among the ranks of the rebel troops ; 
General Grant having no desire to injure the city proper. 

The works of the Union forces had by the end of June, 
1863, approached so close to those of the enemy that it be- 
came even dangerous to look over the parapet on either 
Bide. The bombardment still continued and preparations 
were made for a grand assaulton July 6th. On July 3d, 
General Pemberton doubtless being aware of the result of 
such an assault, sent a message to General Grant request- 
ing an armistice with a view of negotioting terms of sur- 
render ; but the latter would accept of no other terms 
than " an unconditional surrender of the city and garri- 
son," although he finally consented to meet General Pem- 
berton on neutral ground and consult with him as to the 
details. The meeting took place outside of the works of 
both armies, at three o'clock in the afternoon of July 3d, 
no decisive arrangement being made, before parting ; but 
subsequent communications in writing, resulted in the 
garrison being allowed to march ^ut with the honors of 
war, that is, officers to retain their side arms, and mount- 
ed officers one horse each ; the men to march out by 
brigade, with their arms and colors, and stack the same in 
front of the works ; the whole garrison then to be paroled 
and allowed to depart, 

This generosity to the conquered, plainly showed that 
Grant was not only a great soldier, but had also the heart 



78 THE LIFE OP 

and feelings of a man. He even allowed the plan of sur- 
render to be carried out without any person to superin- 
tend it on his part; wishing to allow the fallen enemy all 
the qpurtqsy in his power. 

Shortly alter ten o'clock on the morning of July 4, 1863, 
the rebel garrison under General Pemberton was surren- 
dered to the Federal authorities, and with it the city of 
Vicksburg with all its armament and stores. The Union 
troops then occupied the city ; General Grant riding into 
it with a cigar in his mouth. 

The result of the campaign was the defeat of the enemy 
in five battles outside of Vicksburg, the occupation of 
Jackson, and the capture of Vicksburg with its garrison 
and munitions of war. The rebels lost about 37,000 pris- 
oners, among whom were fifteen general officers, and ten 
thousand killed and wounded, including three generals 
killed. Arms and munitions of war for sixty thousand 
men and an immense amount of government property 
were captured by Grant, while avery large amount was 
. destroyed to prevent it falling into the hands of *the 
Union troops. 

The Union loss in the campaign from May 1st to the 
surrender was but 1,246 killed 7,093 wounded and 537 
missing. 

The results of the campaign were glorious in the ex- 
treme. Ninety siege guns, over a hundred field pieces and 
nearly forty thousand muskets and rifles were captured in 
Vicksburg. The quantity of working tools secured were 
surprising. 

For this glorious victory, and for the skill with which 
he managed the campaign General Grant was promoted to 
the rank of Major-General of the Regular Army to date 
from July 4, 1863. 

One of "old Abe's good jokes" is said to have origin- 
ated from this success. 

" A committee took it upon themselves to visit the Pre- 
sident, and urge the removal of General Grant about ize 
time of his Vicksburg campaign. 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT, 79 

" What for ?*' said Mr. Lincoln. 

" Why " replied the busybodies " he drinks too much 
Whisky." 

' ; Ah," rejoined the President," can you tell me whero 
he nets his whisky ?" 

The committee confessed they could not. 

" Because," added Old Abe, with a merry twinkle in 
his eyes, " if I can find out, I'll send every general in the 
field a barrel of it." 

The committee left.* 

Four days after the fall of Vicksburg, Port Iludson 
surrendered to General Banks— the capture of the former 
necessitating the fall of the latter. The Mississippi River 
was now opened from its headwaters to its mouth, and the 
victory was Grant's. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

GRANT AS MAJOR-GENERAL OP REGULARS. 

The pursuit of Joe Johnston — Second capture of Jackson — Movements 
and reorganization — Further enlarged command — Headquarters at Chatta- 
nooga — Lookout Valley — Three days' battles at Chattanooga — How Long- 
street icas outgeneraled — Honors to the victor, §x. 

As soon us Vicksburg had surrendered General Grant 
sent all his available forces in pursuit of General John- 
ston's army. The pursuing column was placed under the 
command of General Sherman ; and on July 6th, the 
Union troops were below Jackson, where Johnston had 
made a stand. Gradually General Shermau invested the 
place until but one avenue of escape remained ; and this 
too would soon have also been cut oil* had not Johnston 
left the city in haste under the cover of a sortie. The 
rebel attack was made during a dense log; but was firmly 
resisted. On the night of July 16th, the rear guard of 

* See Old Abe's Jokes, page 93 — Published by Dawley. 



80 THE LIFE OP 

the enemy left Jackson by the eastern road, and the Union 
troops took possession next morning. 

Tlic city was then dismantled of everything that could 
be made of use to the enemy and the army began to rest 
from their labors. 

Meantime General Grant remained at Vicksburg, and 
was engaged in re-organizing and resting his forces ; clear- 
ing out the various little garrisons that occupied the small 
posts around ; regulating trade with the conquered States ; 
distributing troops about and forming military districts ; 
and in the performance of other duties incident to his posi- 
tion — the details of which would alone fill a volume. 

On August 25th, General Grant visited Memphis, where 
he was received with great honor and enthusiasm, and was 
tendered a public dinner. That same evening he left for 
Vicksburg and after an interview with his district com- 
mander at that post, he pushed for New Orleans where he 
paid a visit to General Banks, and reviewed the troops. 
During the review of September 4th, being niounted'on a 
strange horse, he was suddenly ihrown with great 
violence to the ground, and severely injured. This was 
considered a sad calamity, as it had been intended to have 
invested him with a large command on his return from 
New Orleans. As it was, the proposed movement of the 
troops had to be made without him, and resulted in disas- 
ter at Chickamauga. 

As soon as General Grant was able to travel he left 
New Orleans ; and proceeding by the Mississippi river 
arrived at Cairo. Meantime General Sherman's com- 
mand had been ordered to relieve the imperiled garrison 
at Chattanooga, and was then marehiug overland toward 
that city. This march was performed amid the greatest 
dangers from guerrillas and others operating in front and 
rear. 

General Grant was next about to proceed East; but 
while en route received a telegram from the Secretary of 
War to await the arrival of the latter at Indianapolis. It 
was not long before they met, and after the usual greet' 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 81 

ings, the Secretary presented General Grant with the Pre- 
sident's order authorizing him to take command of the 
three departments of the Ohio, the Cumberland and the 
Tennessee, under the title of " the Military Division of 
the Mississippi,'' with head quarters in the field. This 
gave General Grant control over all the country bounded 
on the north by the Ohio river, on the west by the Mis- 
sissippi river, on the east by the mountains, with a line to 
be conquered on the south. On October 18th, while at 
Louisville, General Grant assumed command of this vast 
territory and the troops within its limits; and then pro- 
ceeded by way of Louisville and Nashville to his head- 
quarters at Chattanooga. He had now under him one of 
the largest military commands in the United States, con- 
sisting of four armies, comprising nine corps, or twenty 
seven divisions of troops, besides all the reserves and re- 
cruits at the various camps and outposts. 

Although Grant was still laboring under the effects of 
his injuries, he was too much interested in the affairs of his 
country and of the departments over which he held com- 
mand, to stay long idle at Louisville. He had made his 
plans, and started off to Nashville, where he arrived on 
October 21st. After a short delay he proceeded to Chat- 
tanooga where he arrived on October 23d— seven days 
after he had assumed the command. He found the mili- 
tary affairs of that city in a very bad condition, and he 
set about re-organizing the same. He also found the only 
means of supplying the troops was with wagons over bad 
roads, the railroad lines and the river being commanded 
by the rebel guus. Horses were being literally starved to 
death, and the men were on short rations. Everything 
was disheartening. But Grant no sooner appeared than, 
as if by magic, a change was soon effected. He had left 
directions with the commanders in his rear for expeditions 
against the raiders; and he personally organized a move- 
ment against the forces of the enemy that commanded the 
approaches by way of the river. To open that route was 
iiecessary to enable the supply vessels, which he had or- 



82 THE LIFE OF 

dered up, to reach a point where he could land the sup- 
plies and transport them to Chattanooga; and as he had 
already ordered forward an outside co-operating force, he, 
on the 23th of October sent another, but smaller body of 
troops from Chattanooga, for the purpose of clearing the 
way. The movement was a success, and the valley at the 
foot of Lookout mountain, was thrown open to the use of 
Grant's forces ; aud supplies now came forward rapidly. 

Shortly after this had been accomplished President Davis 
visited the rebel army under General Bragg; and while 
on Lookout mountain, he expressed a belief that the troops 
under Grant were in a trap, and must succumb to the 
superior position of the rebel forces, which occupied all the 
heights around Chatanooga. General Pemberton, who 
had learned experience at Vicksburg as to what Grant's 
soldiers could do, at once dissented from President Davis's 
opinion ; and asserted that any attempt to drive Grant 
from that valley, would end disastrously to the rebel army. 
Davis thought differently and ordered General Longstreet 
to make a flank movement into Tennessee, and capture 
Kuoxville, thereby getting into General Grant's rear; 
when, as Davis argued, General Bragg could make an ad- 
vance from his position, and crush Grant between the two 
forces. 

The plan was a pretty one; but a fair estimate had not 
been made of Grant's generalship. As soon as that officer 
had ascertained that Longstreet was really making the 
movement, he ordered the commander of the forcee, >vho 
was watching his advance, to fall back gradually to Kuox- 
ville and draw Longstreet so far from Chattanooga that 
it would be impossible for him to retrace his steps in time 
to assist Bragg when attacked. 

General Bragg had no sooner- heard of the rapid for- 
ward movement of General Longstrcet's forces, than he, 
conceiving the rebel President's plan to have been a suc- 
cessful one, sent a message to General Grant stating that 
he thought it would " be prudent for him to remove all 
non-combatants from the city of" Chattanooga;" thereby 



ULYS3E3 SIMrSON GRANT. 83 

intimating to that officer bis intention of attacking the 
place. To this General Grant returned no answer ; but 
as soon as Longstreet bad been drawn far enough away, 
he ordered the troops under his immediate command to 
make an advance. Longstreet was then below Knoxville, 
which had been extensively fortified, and made capable of 
resisting a heavy assault. On Monday, November 23d, a 
reconnoissance in force was made from the centre of Grant's 
army; and before the rebels were aware that the movement 
was" in earnest, the heights of Orchard Knob were in 
Giant's posession 

The next day at daylight, the left of Grant s army had 
made a. movement, and by nightfall the extremity of Mis- 
sion Ridge was also in Grant's hands. 

On the right another force scaled the slopes of Lookout 
mountain, and from the valley of Lookout creek drove the 
rebels around the point. Over two hundred prisoners were 
taken during this operation and the Union troops estab- 
lished themselves high np the mountain'side in full view 
of Chatanocga. This poiition commanded the river, and 
steamers could now run up to Chatanooga. By nightfall 
this height was also in Grant's hands. 

All that night the heights, right and left, blazed with 
the fires of Union troops. During the whole day General 
Grant had been under fire, riding about superintending the 
movements of his forces. 

At daylight on the 25th the glorious" Stars and Stripes" 
waved from the extreme point of Lookout mouutain — the 

» rebels having fled during the night. The valley of Chat- 
anooga had been abandoned.' 

During the morning of the 25th the artillery from 
Wood's jedoubt and Orchard Knob opened upon the rebel 
centre on Mission Ridge; their missiles flying over the 
heads of General Grant and other officers who were watch- 
ing their movements in the valley. The headquarters 
were under fire all day long. On the left the roar of ar- 
tillery was still to be heard, and the heights were there 
carried, taken and retaken ; but the main assault was to 



84 THE LIFE OF 

be in the centre. At a given signal the line of battle, 
two miles in length, pushed forward at that point and car- 
ried everything before them. Up the steep sides of the 
ridge rushed the impetuous soldiery in the advance, and 
being weli supported, the whole line stormed the heights 
upon which were posted forty pieces of the enemy's artil- 
lery. With cheer upon cheer the men rushed upward. 
Color after color was planted upon the summit, while mus- 
ket and cannon of the foe poured their deadly contents 
upon the assaulting column. But on they went, and on 
the very summit Grant's troops captured a gun which the 
enemy had vainly attempted to carry off. The rebels fled 
in disorder, and General Grant went forward and located 
his headbuarters on the summit of the ridge. The cap- 
tured artillerp was put into position, and the rebel breast- 
works were turned upon the enemy, whose army was 
broken in pieces at that point never to recover. Every 
assault except one was successful ; and that failure did more 
to ensure victory than if it had succeeded. 

The battle field of Chatanooga was many miles in ex- 
tent, six miles being along Mission ridge, and many more 
on Lookout mountain. In three days the whole field was 
won. and the victorious troops were soon in full pursuit of 
the retreating columns of the foe. 

After the successes of November 25th the Union army 
was put in motion, in three columns, and taking the roads 
leading south pushed forward to Ringgold. At the Chick- 
amauga depot, while en route, the Union troops captured 
about fifty thousand dollars worth of the enemy's stores, 
besides a pontoon train, two G4 pounder guns, twenty wag- 
ons, one hundred and ten thousand rations of corn and 
corn meal, four hundred gallons of molasses, ammunition, 
small arms and other valuable army supplies. The depot 
had been burned by the retreating rebels. 

At Pigeon Ridge a slight engagement took place, and 
shortly after the three columns concentrated, and re- 
advanced. On Friday morning, November 27th, the rebels 
were met a short distance beyond Ringgold and another 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 85 

severe contest ensued, after which the enemy fell back to 
Dalton and the pursuit was withdrawn. General Bragg, 
finding Grant did not follow him farther, then made a 
stand, and telegraphed the fact to Richmond. 

General Grant had now secured the military triangle 
which commanded the entrance to the Gulf States, and 
also held possession of a series of the most fertile valleys 
in the Southwest. 

It must not be forgotten that during this interval, Long- 
street's forces held the garrison of Knoxville invested in 
that city. He did not discover the error he had commit- 
ted by his march into Tennessee until he heard of Bragg's 
defeat; and then, being desirous to retrieve in part that 
disaster, he made an assault upon the defences of Knox- 
ville. The attack upon Fort Saunders took place on 
November 29th, and was gallantly repulsed. 

As soon as the victory of Mission Ridge had been 
effected, General Grant ordered a portion of his forces, 
then at Chattanooga, to march instantly for Knoxville. 
Had this movement been effected Longstreet's column 
would have been captured or annihilated ; but to the sur- 
prise of General Grant on returning from following the 
enemy, he found the troops he had ordered forward still 
in Chattanooga. Without waiting to give the column that 
had been engaged in the pursuit any time to rest he order- 
ed it forward to the relief of Knoxville ; and on Decem- 
ber 3rd, the Union Cavalry arrived at that city, the other 
forces gathering around on the outside. Lougstreet be- 
coming aware of this advance of Grant's troops, raised the 
siege of Knoxville, and took refuge in the mountain passes 
of East Tennessee. On December 7th, the telegraph an- 
nounced the relief of Knoxville. 

These victories were considered of such importance to 
the Union cause, that a day was set apart by the President 
for thanksgiving and praise to the Divine Creator for his 
mercies and aid in the accomplishment thereof. 

The enemy, up to this time, had pretended in their 
journals to despise General Grant and his plans ; but the 



86 THE LIFE OP 

grand victory at Chattanooga had undeceived them at a 
costly price. They had called him a fool, but the rebels 
had to pay for his folly. When President Lincoln heard 
that Grant had been styled " a fool " he said he had no 
objection to a few more of them. 

On the assemblage of the United States Congress in 
December 1863, it was moved that a " medal be struck for 
General Grant, and a vote of thanks be given to him and 
the officers of his army " for the glorious series of victo-. 
ries in the Southwest. The resolution was carried unani-* 
mously, in both houses ; and became the first act of 
Congress of the session 18G3-4. 

Another resolution was offered " to revive the grade of 
Lieutenant-General of the Army''; and after a long de- 
bate relative to the power of Congress to appoint the per- 
son who should fill that position, the grade was re-estab- - 
lished and confirmed by both houses of Congress — the 
members, in their remarks, giving a strong expression to 
their belief that only General Grant should receive the 
appointment. 

Religious and other societies tendered to the victor of 
Donelson, Vicksburg a,nd * Chattanooga certificates of 
honary membership of their bodies, and honors poured down 
in a shower on the hero. State Legislatures presented 
their thanks, and the Press advocated his nomination for 
the Presidency ; and on all sides the name of General 
Grant was receivcd.with praise and acclamation. 

General Grant having paid a visit to St. Louis to see 
his sick child, was on January 20 th, 1804, tendered a 
public dinner, at which were present all the military and 
civic dignitaries of the city. Previous to his going into 
Missouri General Grant inspected the whole of the Mili- 
tary Division under his charge; and even made a perilous 
journey through Cumberland Gap, in the winter, to ascer- 
tain the feasibility of supplying his troops by that route 
during the inclement seasons of the year. 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 87 

The bill appointing a Lieutenant-General of the United 
States Armies passed the Senate on the last day of 
February, 1864, and on the first day of March was ap- 
proved and signed by the President. On that same day 
the Chief Magistrate nominated Major-General Grant of 
the United States Army to fill the position never before 
held in full rank by any other than Washington ; and on 
March 2d, 1864, the Senate in Execution Session confirm- 
ed the appointment, General Grant becoming the General- 
in-chief over all the armies of the United States. 



CHAPTER IX. 

GRANT AS LIEUTENANT-GENERAL. 

He. submits his plan of Campaign— President Lincoln's Surprise — 
Activity of General Grant — Simulta?ieous movement to be Made— The 
Virginia Campaign — Wilderness — Spottsylvania — The left flank operation 

Coal Harbor — Crossing'the James — Petersburg — North and South side 

Movements— L< ft Flunk Again — Shenandoah Valley Operations, 8fc. 

As soon as General Grant had been appointed to the 
rank of Lieutenant-General, and invested with the powers 
■ of a Gencral-in-chief, he submitted to the President his 
plan of campaign for 18G4, which was for a simultaneous 
movement of all the armies of the United States upon the 
enemy's positions, and for the navy to co-operate at given 
points, and at stated periods. An advance was to be_ 
made upon Atlanta in Georgia by the Armies in the' 
South West comprising "the Military division of the Mis- 
sissippi ;" another to be made up the Shenandoah by the 
.. military forces in- « the valley ;' a third to be by way of 
Western Virginia upon .the railroad leading from Rich- 
mond &c. to East Tennessee ; a fourth from New Orleans 
npon Mobile; while the main army in Virginia would 
march across the Rapahanuock in the direction of Rich- 



88 THE LIFE OP 

mond, a co-operating force to advance from Fortress Mon- 
roe. All these forces although widely separated were to 
be under the orders of General Grant ; but the armies 
moving immediately upon Richmond, would, in addition, 
be under his direct personal supervision. 

The plan was a gigantic one ; and was a source of great 
surprise to the President and the cabinet. When General 
Grant had left the council, the President said : 

" I am indeed surprised at the magnitude of the plan 
submitted by General Grant; but what causes me the 
greatest wonder is hi3 implicit confidence in being able to 
carry the scheme out in detail." 

The plan being settled, the next thing to be done was 
to carry it into operation. It was necessary that there 
should be no mistake, therefore General Grant decided to 
place such officers as he could depend upon in the positions 
of responsibility. He desired to have at the head of each 
department, men in whom he could trust ; and in several 
instances succeeded. In the South West at the head of 
the "Military Division of the Mississippi" — his recent 
command — he had appointed General W. T. Sherman; at 
the head of his old army of the Tennessee was placed "the 
late General McPherson ; and General Thomas was se- 
lected to lead the army of the Cumberland. In the East 
he re-organized the armies designed to move on Rich- 
mond, placing General Meade over the army of the Poto- 
mac with young, energetic officers over the various corps, 
and selecting General Sheridan to lead his cavalry. He 
visited the various points of his extensive command — East 
and West — and having definitely settled on the day that 
the movement was to commence, returned to the armies in 
Virginia. 

The beginning of May 1864, inaugurated the renewal 
of active hostilities. Cavalry reconnoissances were sent 
out in every direction from all the armies* Veteran troops 
at the various outposts were transferred to what was ex- 
pected would be the scene of actual strife, and their places 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 80 

filled with now levies. Every preparation was made for a 
systematic movement of all the various commands, and- a 
thorough and vigorous campaign east, west and south. 

Having taken a superficial view of operations under 
General Grant's command as Gcneral-in-chief, we will 
now direct our attention to his movements with the spe- 
cial forces in Virginia. 

On the 3d of May, the cavalry moved toward the Rap- 
pahannock, and on the 4th crossed that stream, On the 
5th and 6th, the battles of the Wilderness were fought, 
and had it not been for the generalship of Lieutenant- 
General Grant, who speedily called up his reserves and 
brought them into the light on the second day, the contest 
would have gone badly for the Union cause. As it was 
he changed the fortunes of the day by his presence and 
forethought. . 

During the night the rebels disappeared from Grant's 
front, and General Sheridan, who commanded the cavalry, 
was ordered to find the enemy's position. He found it, 
and on the afternoon of that day, Grant's . headquarters 
were located south of Chancellorsville, where it remained 
during May 8th. Meantime the rebels had taken up posi- 
tion at Spottsylvania, before which, the Union troops ap- 
peared on May 8th. On that and the next two days the 
contest raged with fearful violence — the Union troops at- 
tacking and assaulting the works with fearful desperation, 
and with some amount of loss. During the engagement of 
the 9th the United States lost one of its finest officers, and 
General Grant one of his best corps commanders, Major 
General Sedgwick. 

On May 12th the Second Army Corps of Grant's army 
made a brilliant capture at four o'cloek in the morning. 
Taking advantage of a storm and darkness of the previous 
evening the commanding officer managed to change the 
position of his troops unobserved by the enemy, and before 
daylight pounced upon the rebels, capturing an entire 
division,* including Major General E. Johnson, two bri- 



90 • THE LIFE OF 

gade commanders, over two thousand men and about 
forty cannon. 

Meanwhile General Sheridan at the head of his cavalry 
forces statred on his great cavalry raid to the rear of Lee's 
rebel army, and on May 10th, turned the enemy's right and 
got in their rear, where lie destroyed from eight to ten 
miles of railroad, two locomotives, three trains, and a 
very large quantity of supplies. He "also recaptured five 
hundred men of Grant's army, including two colonies, who 
had been taken prisoners the previous day." 

The enemy had begun to fall back from Grant's immedi- 
ate front, and all movements were going on well, with the 
exception "of the operations in the Shenandoah Valley, 
which had been entrusted to a general who had been 
deemed capable, but who proved himself wholly incapable 
of performing the task assigned to him. A new command- 
er was therefore placed over the Valley. 

For the next few days the armies in Virginia remained 
somewhat quiet. On the 19th of May the rebels under 
Ewell attempted to turn the right of the forces before 
Spottsylvania ; but by a gallant movement of the troops 
the rebels were not only repulsed but sustained a heavy 
loss in killed aud wounded besides three hundred prison- 
ers. 

Meanwhile reinforcements and supplies were sent to 
General Grant, and the army placed on a splendid war 
footing to enter on a new campaign. The base of supplies 
had been well established at Fredericksburg, and every- 
thing appeared favorable for the Union cause. 

Having thoroughly supplied his army, General Grant cut 
loose from his base at Fredericksburg in precisely the 
same manner as he performed that operation from Grand 
Gulf, lie wished to establish a new base; and having 
seen that everything was in proper working order, andthej 
supply vessels ordered to the new point of debarkation,' 
ho ordered the advance of his forces to commence his fa- 



* For full particulars of Sheridan's operations see " Larke's Life of 
General Sheridan," price 25 cuts. T. It. Dawlcy, Publisher. 



ULYSSES SIMrSON GRANT. 91 

motis " left flank movement — " first removing all his sick 
and •wounded to the rear. The first movement took place 
on May 20th, and shortly after the rebel army also com- 
menced to i'all back. 

The whole army then began to move by way of Guinea's 
Station, Bowling Nreeu and Millbrd's Station, a section, 
however, following the road by way of Stannard's Mill. 
By this movement the main army, taking the enemy by sur- 
prise, succeeded in crossing the Mattapony at Mil ford, 
"without much opposition, and encamped south of that river. 
The advance then pushed still further forward, and on 
the 23d of May, the army moved from its position to the 
North Anna river— Lee's rebel army following the road 
along the right of the Union army in order to keep up with 
the movement. The Fifth and Sixth corps marched by way 
of Harris' Store to Jericho Ford, where the former suc- 
ceeded in effecting a crossing and getting a position with- 
out opposition. The movement was merely a feint, as the 
main movement was still farther " to the left." 

Shortly after the Fifth corps had taken up its position 
south of the Anna River, the troops of it were violently at- 
tacked by the rebels ; but after a short although sharp en- 
gagement the rebels were repulsed with great loss to 
themselves, and at once began to beat a retreat. 

Meanwhile Sheridan's cavalry had been operating in the 
rear of the rebel army, cutting communications and creat- 
ing a great panic within the rebel lines. 

It must not be forgotten that the armies moving from 
Fortress Munroe had some time before this taken possession 
of City Point, thus holding a base of operations on the 
James River. The value of this occupation will be seen 
in connection with the future movements of the armies act- 
ing under Grant's personal command. 

On May 24th General Grant's headquarters were located 
on Mount Carmel. During that day his troops surprised 
and captured nearly a thousand men without much loss to 
himself. On that night the advance reached South Anna 



92 THE LIFE OP 

river, where another feint was made ; the main army push 
ing towards Hanover ford of the Pamunky. 

The next day Grant had his headquarters at Jericho 
Mills, and on the 26th at Quarle's ford ; the advance of his 
army still pushing ahead on the left. 

On the night of the 26th ,the army that had been making 
the feint movement near Jericho ford was withdrawn 
across the North Anna river, and moved towards Hanover- 
town, for the purpose of crossing the Pamunky river. 

Next morning a portion of General Sheridan's cavalry 
took possession of both Hanover town and ferry capturing 
several prisoners. During the day the infantry came up, 
and on May 28th General Grant from his headquarters at 
Magahick Church reported the main army across the Pa- 
munky by noon. 

While these movements were going on, the people in the 
peaceful North had not forgotten Grant. A few gentle- 
men of Delaware purchased from the descendant of Wash- 
ington the gold medal presented to General Washington 
by Congress. on the evacuation of Boston by the British, 
and the only gold one ever presented to him. The medal 
was purchasad with the intention of presenting it to Gen- 
eral Grant, and cost these gentlemen over five thousand 
dollars. 

The army having successfully crossed the Pamunky, oc- 
cupied a front about three miles south of the river. 
Grant meanwhile established his headquarters at Hanover- 
town, and his cavalry engaged the enemy south of Haine's 
store, driving him about a mile. 

Another movement was made still further north by 
Taylor's ford in the vicinity of Hanover Court House, and 
certain operations were carried out to prevent Lee from 
returning North by that route should Grant leave the way 
uncovered by troops : and* also to draw away his atten- 
tion from the main movement " on the left.'' 

Meanwhile a portion of the forces, which had been ope- 
rating on the James river under General Butler, were or- 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 93 

dered to move to the White House on the Pamunky, and 
there establish a base of supplies. 

The rebels under General Lee now began to make a 
stand north of the Chiekahoininy river, south of Tolopa- 
tomoy Creek. General Grant therefore established his 
headquarters at liawe's shop to meet this rebel movement. 

On the evening of May 30th, the enemy crossed over 
Tolopatomoy Creek and attacked Grant's advance; but 
were easily repulsed with great slaughter. To relieve the 
force assailed, a general attack was ordered along the 
whole line, and the enemy was driven from his entrenched 
skirmish line, which was at once occupied near Shady 
Grove Church, and was ' ; sharp cheap and decisive,' leav- 
ing a number of prisoners in Grant's hands. 

Sheridan's Cavalry had by this time re-joined the main 
armies and was now operating on the extreme left flank. 

General Grant next opened his communication with the 
White House, and thus gained a third new water base 
since the commencement of his active campaign. He had 
said he would tight his way " along that line if it would 
take all summer," and he had now reached within a few 
miles of Richmond, with a good base of operations, with- 
out leaving the line he had started upon. He had, by his 
left flank movement, neutralized all the heavy works built 
by the rebels north of Richmond to stop the advance of a 
"Yankee Army:" and he had destroyed all means of 
Lee's main army again threatening Washington by way of 
the Rappahannock, at least for some time. 

On Mny 3lLt, General Sheridan, perceiving a force of 
rebel cavalry under Fitz Hugh Lee at Cold Harbor, at- 
tacked, and after a hard light routed it, together with a 
brigade of infantry Sent to his support. Sheridan re- 
mained in possession of the place and held it until relieved 
by the infantry.* 

Next afternoon, June 1st, the infantry relieved the 
Cavalry, and a line of battle was established, in which 
order the five corps now attached to Grant's army pre- 

*See " Life of Sheridau " for farther particulars, prioe '25 ceata. 



94 THE LIFE OP 

pared for active operations. About five- o'clock in the 
evening an attack was made, with spirit, upon the enemy's 
works, resulting in their being- carried on the right of 
Cold Harbor, and partially carried on the left Several 
hundred prisoners were taken by Grant's army during the 
fight. 

During the night the enemy made several attempts to 
gain the lost works, but failed. 

On Tuesday, June 3d, at about half past four o'clock in 
the morning, General Grant made a severe assault on the 
enemy's lines, driving the rebels within his entrenchments 
at all points ; but without gaining any decisive advantage. 
The two armies were at night very near each other — some 
places only fifty yards apart— and desertious were taking 
place in large bodies — five hundred and ten Georgian sol- 
diers surrendering as deserters in one body. 

A sharp fight of half an hour's duration took place on 
the evening of June 3d, in consequence of the enemy mak- 
ing an attack upon Grant. The attack was gallantly 
repulsed. 

Next morning the enemy's left wing was found to have 
been withdrawn during the night. General Grant there- 
fore made certain dispositions for future active move- 
ments. 

On Monday, June 6th, there was some slight fighting 
at different points of the line, but no serious engagement. 
Meanwhile certain operations were being carried out by 
the new cdmmandcr in the Shenandoah Valley, and also 
on the South side of the James River. 

General Sheridan was also detached Irom the main 
army, and on June 7th left Newcastle on the Pamunky 
River for a grand expedition to the north of Richmond. 

For a few days the army was inactive, except in the 
preparations for future movements; but on June 11th, this 
qui t was disturbed, by the orders to march by " the left 
flank." With the rapidity of movement for which Grant's 
special troops had always been noted, one corps of his 
command inarched to the White House, where transports 



ULYSSES SIMrSON GRANT. 95 

were in readiness to transport the men and material 
around Fortress Monroe to the James River, while the 
other corps marched east along the northern side of the 
Chickahoininy river, the right crossing at Long Bridge, 
the Left moving by way of New Kent Court House and 
crossing at Jones' Bridge. 

The force on the right made a demonstration as if to 
advance up the Peninsula; and having thus drawn off the 
enemy's attention, the main column marched tj Charles 
City Court House en route to the James River, which had 
already been bridged with pontoon bridges in anticipation 
of the movement. Over these bridges the army crossed 
to the South side of the river ; General Grant's head- 
quarters being on June the 15th at Wilcox's landing 
on the north side of the James River, below City Point. 
Meanwhile the Corps that had gone around by the James 
River had landed at City Point, and at about one o'clock 
on the morning of the 15th Of June was on the march for 
Petersburg — General Grant having on the previous day 
consulted with General Butler, at the lattcr's headquar- 
ters, for a co-operative movement from Point of Rocks. 

An attack was made on Petersburg on June 15th, and 
before night the principal lino of outer entrenchments 
was carried. This" line of works was about two miles 
from the city, and with the works were taken several can- 
non, prisoners and colors. Next morning the attacking 
forces were increased. 

The rebels at Petersburg had, by this time been rein- 
forced by large bodies of troops from Richmond, Weldon, 
&c, and when the inner line of works was * attacked, it 
was found to be very strongly defended. 

The forces that had been operating on the right of the 
army, and which had made a demonstration as if to the 
advance up the Peninsula, became engaged with the rebels 
near Malvern Hills on June 15th, and after a sharp fight 
withdrew— having gained the object of detaining that 
wing of the enemy from joining the forces at Petersburg, 



00 THE LIFE OP 

On Friday, June 17th, another line of works was car- 
ried; but on attacking the inner line, after making sev- 
eral assaults, the attempt to take the works by storm was 
abandoned. General Grant therefore ordered the posi- 
tions then held by the Union troops to be entrenched. 
During the attack they had advanced to within a mile of 
the city. 

General Grant then began to inaugurate a new system 
of campaigning : although the carrying out of the plan 
may be the only new part of the design. About the 20th 
of June he ordered a brigade of troops to cross to the 
north side of the James River and taking up a position at 
Deep Bottom, establish there a post under protection 
of the gunboats. The main object of this movement was 
for the purpose of keeping a line across that part of the 
Peninsula from the James to the York River. 

About the same time the rebels made at attack upon the 
right of General Grant's line ; but their movement only 
resulted in their own repulse. 

The rebels also tried to stop the return of General 
Sheridan's cavalry to General Grant, by making an attack 
upon the White House, Pamunky River ; but in this they 
entirely failed, although they felt quite confident of suc- 
cess. 

Finding that direct assaults were unavailing on the 
works before Petersburg, General Grant on June 22d, 
tried the virtue of the further extension of his left flank 
movement ; and, under the cover of the North side opera- 
tions, which were merely feints, he moved three corps 
of his army still farther to the left of his line. Du- 
ring the advance on the left a break of the line took 
place between two of the Union corps in consequence of 
the troops not advancing together. The rebels discover- 
ing this weak point broke through the Union forces, and 
struck each corps on the flank. The movement might 
have been very serious to the Union cause had not Grant 
immediately perceived the difficulty and strengthened the 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 97 

weak spot by ordering up other troops, thus checking the 
fury of the rebel onslaught. 

In the interim General Sheridan's Cavalry had left the 
White House to join General Grant, and on the same day, 
June 24th, was attacked near Jones' Bridge, &c, while 
crossing from the York to the James Kivcr. The attack 
was repulsed after a sharp fight, and next day Sheridan's 
Cavalry crossed the James, with his wagon train, cannon, 
etc. The position at Deep Bottom was also at the time 
being strengthened and fortified. 

The Armies before Petersburg remained comparatively 
quiet until June 30th, when a demonstration was made by 
a portion of the line to the White House near that city. 
The movement resulted in drawing the enemy's fire, after 
which the corps returned to their old position. 

A force of Cavalry meanwhile started on a raid south 
of Richmond leaving camp on June 22d. .During the 
operations, which lasted several days, sixty miles 
of railroad, belonging to the enemy, were thoroughly 
destroyed ; the Danville Railroad was greatly injured, 
and thirty miles of the Southside railroad ruined. All 
the blacksmith's shops, where the rails might be straight- 
ened, and all the mills where scantlings for sleepers could 
be sawed, were committed to the flames ; aud during the 
expedition about four hundred negroes and a large number 
of horses and mules were brought within Grant's lines. 
The command returned to General Grant on July the 2d. 

About the beginning of July, 1864, the rebels, in order 
to divert the attention of General Grant from his plans 
before Petersburg, made an invasion of Maryland, and be- 
fore they left that State even attacked the defences of 
Washington. The Lieutenant-General was not to be so di- 
verted, but allowed the enemy to come north of the Poto- . 
mac: meanwhile, however, sending troops around to the de- 
fence of the National Capital. 

On July 4th, 1804, a monument was erected just outside 
the city of Vicksburg, to commemorate forever the surren* 
der of that city to General Grant. The monument is of 



98 THE LIFE OF 

white marble,- surrounded by an iron fence, the whole pre- 
senting a neat and rather imposing appearance. It has 
a square base, upon which stands the main shaft, surmount- 
ed by an ornamental ball. The full height of the monu- 
ment is about twelve feet. On the Western face is the iu- 
scription, 

Site of Interview 

BETWEEN 

Major-General U. S. Grant, U. S. A., 

AND 

General Pemberton, 
July 3, 1863. 

The armies before Richmond now began to settle down 
to the quieter mode of attacking fortifications with fortifi- 
cations ; therefore, with the exception of an occasional dem- 
onstration from either side, or the periodical cannonading 
and mortar firing, the fighting for a time had ceased. The 
reorganization had, 'however, commenced: and several 
changes were made among the various commanders. This 
apparent quiet lasted until about the 26th of July, when 
an attack was made by the rebels, who had been threaten- 
ing for a few days previously, upon the position at Deep 
Bottom, The enemy's assaults were successfully repulsed, 
and Sheridan's cavalry crossed to the north side of the 
James River to develope the position of the rebel forces. 
A corps of additional troops was also sent across, and 
an advance made upon the enemy's works. The movement 
was a success, the works and guns ol the enemy being 
captured and held. 

The troops on the south side of the James and before 
Petersburg, amused themselves by vigorously shelling tho 
city during the time the foregoing operations were being 
performed; and the city was fired in several places. 

During the whole month of apparent quietude, miners had 
been at work, digging a mine, intended to run under the 
principal rebel fort, and succeeded in their excavations, 
the mines being ready about the last week in July, 1864, 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 99 

Six tons of powder were deposited under the fort, and at 
a given signal, on the morning of the 30^ of July, men, 
mud and material were blown high into the air. An as- 
sault was ordered and made ; but owing to some miscon- 
ception of orders was not properly supported, and the 
whole movement thereby proved a failure with a heavy 
loss of life. The matter was afterwards referred to a 
military commission to enquire into the cause of the mishap. 

The President also visited General Graut to enquire 
into the cause of the trouble, and during the interview be- 
tween them, the next day after the repulse, the General 
reminded the President of a former conversation in which 
he had said, " I shall meet with several rebuffs before I 
get to Richmond, but I shall never be farther away than 
this, and I shall suceced.". 

This mishap for a short time delayed further operations 
in the vicinity of Petersburg, which fact being taken ad- 
vantage of by the rebels led to another invasion of tho 
border counties of Marylaud and Pennsylvania. To ob- 
tain proper co-operation in resisting this rebel movement 
General Grant visited the armies in Maryland and the 
commanders ; after which he organized the whole of the 
states, embraced in the four departments of Washington, 
Susquehanna, West Virginia and the Middle Department, 
into one grand Military Division under General Sheri- 
dan.* 

At about the same time an army and navy attack was 
made upon the defences of the harbor of Mobile with 
great success. The plan of this movement was conceived 
by General Grant, organized by General Canby, and carried 
out by Admiral Farragut and General Granger, t 

On the 14th of August, another movement was made on 
the north side of tho James River ; and before the enemy 
could resist the sudden attack, their works were captured 
and held. On the lGtb, also the fighting north of tho 
James was very successful, so far as it went ; but no decis- 

* See "Life of Sheridan " for the success of this plan of operations, 
t See "Life of Admiral Farragut." T, R. Dawley, Publisher, 



100 THE LIFE OP 

ive result was attained. The rebels were driven back four 
miles with considerable loss in killed and wounded, be- 
sides the capture of over four hundred prisoners. Two 
rebel generals Were killed, and a large number of wounded 
prisoners were also captured. 

One of the objects of the movement on the north side of 
the James River was to draw the rebels from Petersburg, 
so as to uncover the Weldon railroad ; and this plan was 
entirely successful. On August 18th, the corps on the ex- 
treme left moved out and firmly established itself on that 
road, from which it was not afterwards removed, although 
the enemy made several severe attacks upon the position 
thus gained. The movement was a complete surprise and 
the Union forces were at once strengthened in their posi- 
tion; and finding .Grant's troops could not be driven 
therefrom, the rebels withdrew and threw up defensive 
works in their new front. 

A part of Grant's forces next extended their left as far as 
Ream's station, where on August 23th, the enemy attacked 
several times during the day. The Union troops fepulsed 
the assault every time, until at about half past five in the 
evening a fearful assault was made on the centre and left 
of the Union lines. The attack was probably intended by 
the enemy to have been simultaneous, as the rebel forces 
had formed in the wood, and had placed their artillery in 
position. Under cover of a heavy cannonade, lasting for 
about fifteen minutes, the assault was made ; but was firm- 
ly resisted. The fighting was continuous until darkj the 
enemy being held in check by the artillery, dismounted 
cavalry and skirmishers of the Union forces. At dark 
the garrison was withdrawn, leaving a safeguard behind. 
The enemy made no further advance that night, and when 
the safe guard was about to withdraw in the morning they 
discovered that the enemy had fallen back. 

The upper part of the Weldon railroad nearest Peters- 
burg, was, however, still held by the extreme left of 
Grant's line; and although he had by the withdrawal 
above described given up the lower part o( the road, the 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 101 

line of communication between Petersburg and the south 
by this route was still severed. 

Again the armies before Richmond settled down for a 
time into comparative quiet: and the troops were em- 
ployed in cutting a canal at Dutch Gap of the James 
River, and in building a railroad to connect the extreme 
left of General Grant's line with his head quarters at 
City Point. The rebels tried to interfere with these ope- 
rations by shelling the workmen, but still the work steadi- 
ly progressed. The labor on the canal was indeed great, 
and alter the war is ended will stand as a monument of 
engineering skill equal with that which reduced Fort 
Pulaski, Sumter, Island No. 10, &c, and through which 
Charleston was shelied from the swamp. 

On August 16th, 18134, General Grant wrote his famous 
letter in which he pointed out the delapidated condition of 
the South, and their only hope— a divided North and 
mighty unity of action to secure victory. 

About this time Atlanta was taiceu possession of by 
Gereral Sherman — the occupation of that city being the 
grand result of the campaign which had been inaugurated 
by General Grant before he left the South- West.* 

On September 5th a slight movement of the Union forces 
on the left was made to obtain a better position ; aiid on 
September 10th, another movement was made by which a 
picket line of the enemy was taken and their entrenched 
position captured entire without scarcely tiring a shot. 

General Grant on the 15th of September left City Point 
ostensibly to pay a visit to his family in New Jersey ; but 
on the way he spent a few hours at the headquarters of 
General Sheridan. What transpired there is not record- 
ed ; but almost immediately after his departure, General 
Sheridan commenced in the Shenadoah Valley that vigor- 
ous campaign which resulted in the complete destruction of 
Early's army, and the devastation of the whole region, f 

* For details see '• Life of Sherman," Price, 25 cents. T. R. D.iwlej, 
Publisher. 
f See Life of Sheridan. 



102 THE LIFE OP 

General Grant after visiting his family returned to bis 
headquarters at City Point on September 19th, only four 
days from the time he left. Long- furloughs are not a 
portion of General Grant's military routine of personal 
services. 

On the 29th of September, 1834, a movement was made 
by two corps of Grant's army on the north side of the 
James River, and the works attacked along their front — 
one corp3 carrying the very strong fortification and a long 
tine of entrenchments below Chapin's farm, capturing fifteen 
pieces of artillery and a few hundred prisoners ; while the 
other corps carried the New Market entrenchments on the 
road from Deep Bottom. 

When the foregoing operation had been fairly begun, 
General Grant pushed forward his left flank, carried the 
line of works along the front, and captured a number of 
prisoners. Another portion of his forces took possession 
of the rebel works at Poplar Grove Church, also on the 
left. To enable him to accomplish these movements on the 
left was the principal object of the advance north of the 
James River ; for the rebels immediately weakened their 
lines opposite Grant's left to resist that movement. 

About this time General Grant, finding that the inhab- 
itants of tlie Shenandoah region continued their treacher- 
ous depredations and murders on the troops that were 
actually protecting them and theirs, issued an order to 
General Sheridan embracing the following words : 

" Do all the damage you can to the railroad and crops. 
Carry off stock of all descriptions and negroes, so as to 
prevent further planting. If the war is to last another 
year, let the Shenandoah Valley remain a barren waste." 
Sheridan carried out the order. 

The rebels on October 7th attempted to turn the flank 
of the right of Grant's army, north of the James, and suc- 
ceeded in driving in the cavalry outposts, and capturing 
their guns, following up the same with an attack upon the 
infantry along the New Market road. The infantry sue- 



ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 103 

ceeded in repulsing the enemy, and tlie whole of the attacks 
were thereby rendered of no avail to the rebel cause. 

Cavalry reconnoissances were made at different times, 
and on October 11th, a force started to scout in the re- 
gion of the Southside Railroad as far as Stony Creek. This 
led to a slight engagement and the capture of a few pris- 
oners. With the exception of this, the Armies South of 
Richmond were comparatively quiet; and the Dutch Gap 
Canal still progressed. 

Meantime General Sheridan fought his grand battles of 
" Cedar Creek," by which he cleared the Valley, at least 
for a time, of all the rebel forces therein. 

General Grant kept his troops somewhat advanced near 
Hatcher's Run in the hope of inviting an attack, which 
.was made by the rebels on October 27th ; and in the end 
the latter were repulsed with some loss. General Grant 
then drew in his lines to their former position to await 
further developments.. 



CHAPTER X. 

GENERAL GRANT'S PERSONAL APPEARANCE. 

Those who has never seen General Grant would scarcely 
be likely to single him out from the hundred others on the 
ground before Richmond, as the man whom the country 
recognizes as having done the most, and of whom so much 
is expected, to crush the rebellion by hard blows, and of 
the exercise of those qualities which enter into a character 
of true greatness. He is there generally to be seen en- 
veloped in a rather huge military coat, wearing a slouch- 
ing hat, which seems to have a predisposition to turn up 
before and down behind, giving his orders with as few 
words as possible, in a low tone, and with an accent which 
partakes of the slight nervousness, intensity of feeling, 



104 THE LIFE OF ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT. 

« 

yet perfect self-command, seen in all his movements. 
General Grant might be described best as a little old 
man — yet not really old — who, with a keen eye, does not 
intend that anything should escape his observation. At 
the last battle he was not in his usual physical condition, 
his recent illness, added to his arduous labors, having 
made him lean in flesh, and given a sharpness to his fea- 
tures which he did not formerly have. Those features, 
however, go far to define the man of will and self-control 
that he is. At the critical moment of the day's opera- 
tions, the muscles seemed to gather tighter and harder 
over his slightly projecting chin, which seems to have an 
involuntary way of working, and the lips to contract. 
There is in what he does or says nothing that has the 
slightest approach to ostentation of show, but the palpable 
evidence of a plain man of sense, will and purpose, who 
has little idea that more eyes are turned on him than on 
any other man on the continent. From his first struggle 
at Belmont to his last before Richmond, the men led by 
him have fought more steadily, fiercely and successfully 
than those of any other portion of our army. In looking 
back over the history of the war, the eye rests upon no 
more glorious pages than those whereon are written Fort 
Donelson, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga. lie has no host 
of flatterers, holds.no correspondence with politicians, 
never grumbles at President Lincoln or the War Depart- 
ment, does not consider himself a persecuted man, and is 
cheerful and content with the position and duties assigned 
him. He never needs to be ordered peremptorily to light 
the enemy, for the plain reason that he is prompt to fight 
whenever the occasion offers. He cultivates no popularity 
amoDg the soldiers. He leaves his deeds to speak for him, 
and takes no pains with his reputation. In fact, he is a 
model for all our officers. 

FINIS. 




the .American 

SYSTEM OF COOKERY, 

BY MilS. T. J. CHO WEN, 

Author of " Every Ladies Book," " The American Ladies' 
Cookery Book," &c., &c. 



132 PAGES, PRICE, 25 CENTS, HAILED POSTPAID. 

This is a work of rare merit, the Author being a practical woman 
having spent years in collecting the matter and testing the receipts men- 
tioned in this book. Here the housewife will find all kinds of useful re- 
cipes for Boiling, Roasting, Prying, Stewing, Baking, &c. Every Lady 
should have a copy of this Cook Book. It is printed on heavy paper, 
contains 132 pages, and is sold for the small sum of 25 cents, mailed post- 
paid to any address. 



A GOOD BOOK FOR A GOOD WIFE. 



THE AMERICAN LADIES' 

my "rod.., 

BY MBS. T. J. CROWEN: 



A complete guide to tlie Housewife. 

4G5 pages, bound iu Cloth. Price, $1.75, mailed Postpaid. 

This Book is written by a person of practical knowledge of the sub- 
ject who was engaged eight years in collecting information on the subject 
of the work and in reducing to practice the recipes obtainad. The tiook 
compieliends a vast variety of directions respecting the various methods 
of plain and fancy cooking, many of which bave never before been imide 
public. The labors of the author have b^en employed in a field iu which 
no one who labors will labor in vain. — (AT. Y. Evening Fust.) 



Ask any Bookseller or Newsdealer for a copy, if he has 
not got it he will get it for you. 



Una 



FBE3H PROM ASBAHAM'S BOSOM* 

Containing all of is issues excepting the " Green- 
backs" to call in some of which this Y/ork is issued. 



This is a rare book coming as it does from the Pres- 
ident's own lips. Who has not heard of the quaint say- 
ings and rare jokes of Abraham Lincoln ? 



140 PAGES, 
PRICE, 40 CENTS. MAILED POSTPAID. 



The following is only a partial contents : 



Father. Abraham's Boyhood, 

Pets and Kettles, 

Dutch Ovens, 

Frying Pans, 

Jilsop's Fables, 

Kail Splitting, &c. 

A Disciple of Father Mathew, 

Old Abe consulting the Spirit, 

Too Cussed Dirty, 

Abe's Curiosity, 

The Wooden Legged Amateur, 

Succoring a Contraband, 



A Patriotic Darkey, 
The Damned Thing, 
A Pedlar made to eat his own 

Pies. 
Mrs. S. Spoons, 
Chase's manner of ma 'dug 

Greenbacks, reverse the 

machine, 
Lincoln's Advises, 
Old Abe and his Tod, 
Pluck to the Toe Nail, 
Mince Pies vs. Tracts, &c., &c. 



fe£P Ask any Bookseller or Newsdealer for a copy, if 
he has not got it he will get it for you. • 



THE LIFE OF 

GEN. WM. T. SHERMAN. 

BY T. R. DAWLEY. 
PRICE, 25 CENTS, [JAILED POSTPAID. 



THE LIFE OF 

GEN. PH. H. SHERIDAN. 

BY JULIAN K. LARKE. 
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THE LIFE OF 

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BY ABOTT A. ABBOTT. 
PHICE 25 GENTS, MAILED POSTPAID. 

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BY ALEXANDER DELMAR. 
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not got it he will get it for you. 



EAWLEY'S TJEN-PENNY NOVELS— NO. 1. 

THE TWO RIVALS; OR, MAN AND MONEY! 

FROM THE FRENCH OF EMILE SOUYESTRE. 



The very name of French novel may conjure up ideas equally alarm- 
ing with that of French cookery. Whether we shall be regaled with 
" fillet of a fenny snake," instead of fillet of sole ; whether an oyster-fed 
cat can be ingeniously made to represent rabbit; or a poodle nourished 
on sponge-cake transformed into the similitude of a pheasant. Admit- 
ting that much French literature is, like sausage-rolls, light and disap- 
pointing ; granting that Dumas is wild, Paul de Kock licentious, and Sue 
too often prolific of horrors, it by no means follows that the same soil 
which sends forth bristle and brier, may not breed celandine and daisy. 

EfAWLEY'S TEN-PENNY NOVEL*.--- NO. 2". 

DARE-DEVIL DICK; OR, THE CURSE OF GOLD! 

A STORY OF LAND AND SEA. 

This is a most singular story of a young man who was cursed by the 

Ijower of gold, having had an immense fortune placed to his credit in a 
mnk, by a mysterious individual unknown to him ; after which he be- 
came associated with gamblers and bad men, by whom he became in- 
volved in a duel, was wounded, became a wanderer, was impressed into 
the British navy, where his career commences as DARE-DKViL DICK, 
a dauntless sailor, and one of the most daring, we might say reckless, 
fighting men in the British navy, through whose means the •'tfantissima" 
a Spanish corvette, was captured, loaded with an amount of doubloons, 
moidores, and pieces of Fight, that would be astonishing even to the peo- 
ple of our own day. 

DAWLEY'S TEN-PENNY NOVELS-NO, 3— IN PRESS. 

EEBQOTER'S PRIZE I " 

A TALE OF THE OCEAN. 

The above tale is one of the most truthful and exciting which has ever 
characterized the adventures of any Past Middy of the British navy. The 
adventurer leaving home in comparative poverty ; his enlistment upon 
a war-vessel; his desertion; joining his fortune upon tho deck of a pi- 
rate • his re-desert'on ; his next appearance upon a merchantman ; the 
merchantman's fight with the pirate; the Quaker Captain; the Captain 
de jucrre ; his tremendous fighting ; the chase ; final capture of the pi- 
rate, and marriage of the hero, concludes one of the most daring tale* 
that has ever been recorded upon paper, and which excites the admira- 
tion of all. 

T. !R. DAWLEY, Publisher, 

13 & 15 Park Row, New York. 



I Dawlev's New War Novels- — No. 1. 

MOSBY, THE GUERRILLA. 

The records of the Newgate Calendar do not show in any life of a highwayman, more incidents 
adventure, daring, or brutality, than have been evidenced in the career of Mosby. In his early 
e, as a New York (rambler, in his career under Turner Ashby, during his adventures as a Cap- 
in of Guerrillas, Mosby showed himself to bean embryo villain — one who would not hesitate 
anything to accomplish his ends ; but the greatest epoch of his career has been since he re- 
ived his promotion to Colonel and chief of Guerrillas in Virginia Caring nothing for human 

y he hoisted the black (lag and the pistol shot and the rope was then his cartel of exchange. 
The adventures of Mosby are identical with that of his '■ beautiful Belle of Fairfax," who 

duced the dashing Col. Stoughton, and Delilah-lik ; delivered him over to the Philistines. Cap- 

.in Prank and Estelle have played no small part in the Guerrilla's hi»tory, and the honest Irish 

rderly " Terry '' is found to be a good match for Mosby' s n 'gro " Sam." 



Dawley's New War Novels. — No. Q,. 

PAULINE, THE FEMALE SPY. 

The adventures of a scout have always been full of interest ; but a record of incidents attend- 
ing the movements of a spy —especially a female — must be p irticularly entertaining to the reader. 
The heroine of this novel is a real character and her hairbreadth escapes, her m my risks of ex 
>osure — her wounds, and the schemes she adopted to make the doct >rs conceal her identity as a 
voman ; and her intrigues, amorous and otherwise, make the recital rich as well as readable 

"The adventures of the author with the spy herself is particularly described, in the course of 
fhe story ; and as many of the incidents took place when he and she were alone, and none could 
le by,— nor were wanted,- -to hear or see, he only is able to give the facts And he do"s so in a 
tyle that does credit to his geuius ; but certaiuly none to his powers of keeping a secret." 



Dawley's N ew War Novels. — JSJ o. 3. 

SEMMES, THE PIRATE. 

This work embraces in it the historical details of the life of Raphael S;mmes, the captain of 
the Confederate Piratical craft Alabama, and also portrays many features of life in England 
Cuba, Africa, &c. Semnies' love adventures with Maritana, Donni Isabella Gonzalez, and the 
English Lady Flora Maedouald, are described with a piquancy for which the author is noted. The 
a ival tights between the Alabama and Kearsage, and the Alabama and Hatteras are graphically 
detailed ; and the piracies of the rebel vessel form an interesting portion of the book. The char 
acter of Semmes himself is faithfully pictured, and shows to the reader of this work a strange com- 
ponent —a mixture of a brave sailor, with a cowaidly miscreant, a noble conqueror with a paltry 
tyrant, a man hater and woman lover. 



Dawley's N ew War Novels. — No. 4. 

KILLDARE, THE BLACK SCOUT. 

The adventures of the Black scout, full of peril and excitement, form an inteiesting feature in 
the incidents of th » War of the Rebellion. Even in danger or being taken a p.isoner by the I 
enemv ; always on the qui vive for intelligence of interest to his cause, and constantly in dream 
of being shot as a spy, he finds his life a mixture of pleasure and pain. These incidents of Kill- 
dare's life are interesting in the highest degree The other characters of the story are piquant 
and lull of interest ; and serve to illustrate much of the peculiarities of the people who reside 
south of the line of Mason and Dixon. i 

Ask any Newsdealer for a Copy of Dawley's War Novels, 

'PRICE, 25 GTS., MAILED POSTPAID. - T. II. DAWLET, Publisher, New York. 



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